THE Indian Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, has reaffirmed his government’s policy of developing closer cooperation with Myanmar as a part of New Delhi’s plan to broaden ties with neighbouring countries.

In an address to the nation to mark the 58th anniversary of India’s Independence Day on August 15, Mr Singh said India wanted to promote cooperation with Myanmar and its other neighbours to increase peace and prosperity in Asia.

“I greet the people of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Myanmar and assure them with utmost sincerity that India is willing to work together with them for promoting development, prosperity and peace in the region,” Mr Singh said.

Relations between Myanmar and India have strengthened following the adoption by New Delhi of its ‘Look East’ policy in the early 1990s.
The policy aimed at strengthening ties with countries in Southeast Asia.