NEW DELHI, Oct 25 ? The prospects of a crackdown on insurgents belonging to North East in the neighbouring country have brightened with India and Myanmar signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Cooperation on Non-traditional Security Issues.
The MoU was part of the three agreements including on Cultural Exchange Programme and 1200-MW Tamanthi hydroelectric project on River Chindwin signed in presence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and visiting leader of Myanmar, Senior General Than Shwe who is the chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The MoU on non-traditional security issues covers terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling, money laundering, international economic crimes, cyber crimes and addresses India?s security concern particularly the camps and bases operated by militant outfits of the North-East.
The agreement between the two-countries will see them share information on movement of insurgents and exchange of personnel of law enforcement agencies though joint operations have not been mentioned. A consultative group was agreed to be set up to monitor the progress of the MoU. The Group would meet alternatively in India and Myanmar.
The issue of crackdown on North-East insurgentsfigured at the talks with the Prime Minister as well the External Affairs Minister. General Shwe assured that Myanmar would not permit terrorists or any hustle elements inimical to India to operate from its soil. Whenever Myanmar gets information they would not hesitate to take action against the insurgent groups, India was assured.
India has been pressing Myanmar to take action against militants groups mostly belonging to Manipur operating out of the country. The problem was further aggravated by entry of militant outfits like ULFA, NDFB, NSCN in the scene. Hoping to sweeten the deal India has agreed to upgrade the Yangon-Mandalay rail link, help in laying fibre optic network in Myanmar and conduct a feasibility study of deep-water port and cooperate in energy sector.
According to the agreement on the Tamanthi Hydro Project, the MEA would fund the pre-feasibility study, which would be conducted by NHPC . The Mizoram-Chin State Road was also agreed to be upgraded. Talks were also on for study of the Kaladan multi model transportation system.
Meanwhile, bilateral trade between India and Myanmar could double within two years, according to the India-Myanmar Joint Task Force report, which was released by Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Kamal Nath here. The Minister said that various measures suggested in the report, would help in attaining the agreed goal of achieving USDI billion worth of bilateral trade by 2006.
For accelerating of border trade, the second point at Zowkhathar-Rbi, in additions to the Murch-Tamu point, was inaugurated a few months ago. The Minister emphasised, the need to specially develop the required infrastructure facilities at the point so that the trade could take place at the earliest.
Minister for Industry of Myanmar Aung Thaung, was also present at the launch of the report, which has been jointly prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and United Myanmar Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
The Minister indicated that India had formulated a series of policies aimed at developing the industrial potential of the North East region. ?Most of this is in the form of roads, airports, power, railways, telecommunications, banking and finance. We have also formulated policy for concessional freight tariffs for movement of goods. These factors make the North eastern region a natural base for exports to and imports from Myanmar?, he said.
Earlier, the visiting chairman of SPDC who is accompanied by a high-level delegation was given a warm welcome by President APJ Abdul Kalam at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, including an inter-services guard of honour. The Prime Minister and senior Ministers and officials were also present at the ceremony.