India and Myanmar on Thursday reviewed the entire gamut of relations, including border cooperation

During the 19th round of Foreign Office Consultations held through virtual mode, the two sides also reviewed status of India’s ongoing development projects in Myanmar, trade and investment ties, power and energy cooperation, consular matters and cultural cooperation, including the ongoing restoration work on earthquake damaged pagodas in Bagan.

The Indian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the Myanmar delegation led by Permanent Secretary, U Soe Han sides also expressed satisfaction that despite the ongoing COVID pandemic, meetings in several areas, including power, energy and others have been held through virtual mode, reflecting the depth of the bilateral engagement.

Writing about India, Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava tweeted, “FS Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Myanmar Permanent Secretary U Soe Han had a useful exchange in a range of issues at the India-Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations today. Myanmar is an integral element of India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies.”


Both sides also held extensive discussions on the challenges posed by COVID-19 and ways to mitigate its impact, including through vaccine development, supply of medicines, equipment and technology and capacity building.

Foreign Secretary reiterated the priority India attaches to its partnership with Myanmar in accordance with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies. He stated that India remained committed to enhancing its multifaceted cooperation with Myanmar and also to explore new avenues of cooperation.

Both sides agreed that the next Joint Trade Committee Ministerial Meeting to be held on October 20, will be useful in further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.

Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further strengthen its time- tested partnership with India for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

He also expressed appreciation for the COVID related and development assistance extended by India to Myanmar. He thanked India for providing debt service relief under the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, for the period May 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date.