Head of Myanmar?s military junta senior general Than Shwe is set to pay an official visit to India starting from July 25.
He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including three ministers: U Soe Tha, minister for national planning & economic development, U Tin Naing Thein, minister for commerce and U Thaung, minister for Science & Technology and other senior officials.
The ruler of the energy-rich country is expected to meet President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, external affairs minister SM Krishna and other senior officials during his visit. The discussions will include issues like border security and economic cooperation between the two countries. Expanding counter-terror cooperation will be a key item on the agenda when the two sides hold talks.
Shwe will visit Hyderabad to take a first-hand look at IT and pharmaceutical projects that he wants India to assist his country with.
His visit caps an annual string of high-level exchanges between India and Myanmar before Myanmar goes to polls in November—first time in 20 years.
Officials are expecting a surge in energy, trade and transport links between the two countries after the visit. India is likely to express its concerns over the Chinese traders? growing presence in trade hubs of Mandalay and Tamu. ?Relations between India, Myanmar and China are not a zero-sum game,? said an official.
On July 27, there will be a round-table meeting with that country?s three ministers at Ficci where they will address the Indian industry captains and seek enhanced investments.