Suu Kyi meets Prez, Sushma; talks Myanmar’s national reconciliation

‘India to help Myanmar in setting up democratic institutions’ 

New Delhi, October 18: Myanmarese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi today met President Pranab Mukherjee and held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which the visiting leader discussed how India could support Myanmar’s agenda of national reconciliation.

Suu Kyi, who arrived in Delhi on a State visit yesterday from Goa where she attended BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach meet on Sunday, also sought assistance in areas of agriculture, capacity building, job creation, infrastructure and health care during her meeting with Swaraj, who offered all possible help from India.

During her call on, the President congratulated the State Counsellor on her party’s victory in the general elections held in Myanmar last year and complimented her on the role that she has played in Myanmar’s path to democracy.

Recalling his discussions during the visit of Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw to India in August, Mukherjee conveyed India’s whole-hearted support for the Myanmar Government in its efforts to live up to the expectations of the people of Myanmar.

Swaraj conveyed condolences on behalf of people of India over the loss of lives of many Myanmar police and army personnel in the recent terrorist attacks in Rakhine State of Myanmar as also over the ferry tragedy on Chindwin river.

“The two leaders discussed the manner in which India could support Myanmar’s agenda of national reconciliation, socio-economic development and strengthening democracy.

“The State Counsellor outlined her priorities in the areas of agriculture, training, capacity building, job creation, infrastructure and health care and sought India’s assistance in these areas. Swaraj offered all possible assistance from India in keeping with the priorities outlined by the State Counsellor,” official sources said.

Mukherjee also referred to India’s rich experience in building a federal nation state, taking into account the ethnic and linguistic diversity of its people and offered any assistance desired by the Government of Myanmar in this regard.

The President also hosted a private lunch for the State Counsellor in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Earlier, Suu Kyi placed a wreath at Rajghat and was given a ceremonial welcome.

Suu Kyi had arrived in Goa on October 16 to attend BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach meet where she said,”Our region is confronted by numerous challenges including security threats including rising terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, natural and man-made disasters and even the danger of nuclear proliferation.