Establish important partnerships between Myanmar and India

 

MYANMAR shares a border with India and serves as a strategic bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Moreover, Myanmar and India share maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal. Both countries have much in common, including aspects of religion, culture, literature, economy, and social values.

Myanmar and India have established a significant diplomatic partnership, deeply rooted in the history of both nations since Myanmar’s first Independence Day on 4 January 1948. India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies play a crucial role in shaping its diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.

India is a highly advanced country in the fields of medicine, technology, and economy. It has consistently provided support to Myanmar. In 2024, the 60th anniversary celebration of the India Technology and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was recently held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.

On the occasion, Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the event, stating, “India will continue to be one of Myanmar’s most valued trading partners, and the current India-Myanmar Technology and Economic Cooperation Program has laid a strong foundation that enhances trust, friendship, mutual respect, and many other sectors.

The ITEC programme is a long-standing initiative that serves as a symbol of India’s commitment to sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and fostering human resources for global development. Since 15 September 1964, this programme has provided capacity-building training to over 200,000 service personnel from more than 160 countries worldwide. For Myanmar, the ITEC programme plays a significant role in enhancing the skills and capabilities of its public servants.

It is observed that the ITEC programme has conducted numerous postgraduate courses and research programmes across various disciplines. Recently, the Indian government offered over 900 scholarships to Myanmar from 1 January 2021 to September 2024. With the acquired skills and knowledge, significant support has been provided in relevant industries for innovation, research activities, increased production, and long-term national development projects, resulting in numerous benefits thanks to the ITEC programme.

To mark the 60th anniversary of ITEC, the signing of numerous memoranda of understanding between Myanmar and India reflects a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, mutual respect, and ongoing cooperation, fostering goodwill and shared progress in the years ahead. These achievements will be fruitful results for promoting bilateral relations between Myanmar and India in the future.

GNLM