India, Myanmar agree to fight 'terrorism' jointly

[Jonathan Fairfield]

India, Myanmar agree to fight 'terrorism' jointly

NEW DELHI: India and Myanmar agreed to fight "terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations" during the visit of Myanmar foreign minister U Wunna Maung Lwin, following discussions with Sushma Swaraj on Thursday.

The first high level visit from Myanmar after India's military operation inside that country.

India has agreed to help in the modernization of the Myanmar army and even help build up a navy for Myanmar. Lwin had met prime minister Modi and NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday.

The visit, the first after India's cross-border raids into Myanmar to destroy insurgent camps is a sign that both sides want to minimize gaps in political and security engagement between them.

While foreign secretary S. Jaishankar had visited Myanmar before the army operation national security adviser, Ajit Doval had gone post raids and a PR mess-up inside India, to thank Myanmar and soothe ruffled feathers within their system.

An enhanced political and security engagement is felt to be necessary given that Naga insurgents, along with ULFA leader Paresh Barua are apparently using Myanmar territory to target India.

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