Recently India and Myanmar reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, with a focus on security coordination, countering transnational crimes and enhancing operational collaboration between relevant agencies during the 23rd National Level Meeting held in New Delhi.
The two-day meeting, brought together senior officials from both countries. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, while the Myanmar delegation was headed by Major General Min Thu, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of their longstanding friendship and close partnership, reiterating their shared commitment to advancing cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Indian side emphasised Myanmar’s significance in India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) policies.
The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral security issues, including measures to combat terrorism, insurgency, narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, wildlife trafficking, cybercrime and other forms of organised crime.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen intelligence sharing, improve operational coordination and undertake capacity-building initiatives to effectively address common security challenges.
The two countries also reviewed the security situation along the India-Myanmar border and underlined the need to maintain peace, stability and security in the region. Both sides stressed the importance of preventing the misuse of sovereign territory for activities that threaten their respective security interests.
The Myanmar delegation assured that its territory would not be allowed to be used for activities detrimental to India’s security interests.
The meeting also reviewed progress on key connectivity projects, with both sides expressing the importance of working together for the timely completion of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.
Concluding the meeting, India and Myanmar expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and agreed to continue regular engagement through existing bilateral mechanisms, training programmes, institutional exchanges and implementation of mutually agreed decisions to further strengthen security cooperation.
