Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony to mark the 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) ceremony of founding bilateral relations and diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India organized by the Myanmar-India International Business Federation and the Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association at the National Theatre in Yangon on 14 May.
Also present at the ceremony together with the Senior General were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Council Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, Union Ministers and wives, the Yangon Region Chief Minister, senior military officers and wives, the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Vinay Kumar and wife, officials of Indian Embassy and the Defence Attaché Office to Myanmar, the commander of Yangon Command, ambassadors of foreign embassies to Myanmar and officials, the president and officials of Myanmar-India International Business Federation, officials of Myanmar-India Friendship and Development Association and guests.
The Senior General and party viewed round the photo gallery to mark the ceremony. Then, a video clip on 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) ceremony of founding bilateral relations and diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India was shown.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General stressed the following points –
- Myanmar and India established the diplomatic relations on 4 January 1948 when Myanmar regained independence. So, it turned 75 years.
- Myanmar and India signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship on 7 July 1951 under which lasting peace and friendship were built.
- When Myanmar suffered an economic crisis in 1954, India as a good neighbor sold 900,000 tons of rice, which is still in the minds of Myanmar people.
- In repairing the Buddhist temples damaged by a quake in 2016, the Indian government made donations. Moreover, it sold 13.4 million doses of Covishield vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sasakawa Foundation donated two million doses of Covaxin and the Indian government one million doses of the same vaccine. And Myanmar is sincerely grateful for all these.
- The Kaladan project connects Sittwe Port and Mizoram Province in northeastern India and therefore, it will be more job opportunities for the people of Rakhine and Chin states, and also the project will play a key role in regional development.
- As part of the project that includes Sittwe Port, a special economic zone will emerge as well.
- Under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Myanmar and India’s relations have reached a crucial juncture in the history.
- In retrospect also, the two nations have shown mutual respect for each other as good neighbours and friends in line with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
- In accord with the Look East Policy of India, Myanmar is a strategically important country for India wishing to communicate with Southeast Asia. Moreover, Myanmar bridges India and Southeast Asia. If such important geopolitical advantages are to be fully used, there will be mutual benefits between the two peoples of the two countries.
- I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to India for its help in the development of human resources, which is a key to the establishment of the great democracy and federal system that the Myanmar people aspire to.
- The most obvious example is the fact that Myanmar sent more than 6,600 scholars to India between 2013 and 2021.
- If we look at the world today, some of the powerful countries are concerned about the internal affairs of small countries, including our country, on various topics and they are interfering based on their self-interest using a variety of reasons and methods.
- Therefore, no matter what challenges Myanmar faces, we would like to state clearly that we will actively continue cooperation with the countries of the world and regional organizations, including the United Nations and as a country that emphasizes ethical rules that will not damage international relations and its country and the interests of its people.
- Senior General said he wished the relations and friendship between Myanmar and India will contribute to the peace, prosperity and development of other world countries by bringing the benefit of the countries, benefit of the people and the development of regional interests.
After that, the SAC Chairman and the members watched dances, songs and performances of the two cultural organizations of the two countries and then had a dinner together to commemorate 75th Anniversary of friendship and diplomatic relations between Myanmar and India.
Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper (15-5-2023)
- The Kaladan project connects Sittwe Port and Mizoram Province in northeastern India and therefore, it will be more job opportunities for the people of Rakhine and Chin states, and also the project will play a key role in regional development.
- Under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Myanmar and India’s relations have reached a crucial juncture in the history.
- In retrospect also, the two nations have shown mutual respect for each other as good neighbours and friends in line with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
- In accord with the Look East Policy of India, Myanmar is a strategically important country for India wishing to communicate with Southeast Asia. Moreover, Myanmar bridges India and Southeast Asia. If such important geopolitical advantages are to be fully used, there will be mutual benefits between the two peoples of the two countries.
- No matter what challenges Myanmar faces, we would like to state clearly that we will actively continue cooperation with the countries of the world and regional organizations, including the United Nations and as a country that emphasizes ethical rules that will not damage international relations and its country and the interests of its people.