SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY U WIN AUNG, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR AT THE DINNER HOSTED IN HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENCY SHRI JASWANT SINGH, MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

(14 February 2001)

Your Excellency Shri Jaswant Singh,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Your Excellency and the distinguished members of the Indian delegation to Myanmar. Your Excellency's visit to Myanmar is significant as there has been nearly two decades since the visit of the Indian External Affairs Minister, His Excellency Shri P.V Narashimha Rao to Yangon in 1981. We deeply appreciate your effort to make the journey at this time despite your heavy schedule.

Excellency,

Myanmar and India have been bound by social, cultural and religious ties since time immemorial. I am happy to observe that these traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries have been enhanced in recent years. The goodwill visit to India by General Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council marked an important milestone in our relations/ The visit was a complete success and has paved the way for even closer cooperation between Myanmar and India. Your own visit, following close on the heels of the Vice Chairman's visit, is a demonstration of the growing ties between our two countries. We are pleased that you graced the opening ceremony of the new Kalay-Tamu road yesterday. We witnessed the ceremony with immense joy and satisfaction. The road will surely stand as a lasting monument to the friendly relations between Myanmar and India. We deeply appreciate the assistance provided by India. It is timely as we are striving to improve to the road project, there are a number of other projects which we can undertake to our mutual benefit. Feasibility studies have been made on the Tamanthi hydroelectric project and the Kaladan river project. The Yeywa hydroelectric power project, is yet another promising project. I am confident that successful cooperation in these projects will contribute to closer cooperation between our two countries and peoples.

Excellency,

Our two countries are cooperating not only on bilateral matters but also on international issues at the United Nations and other international fora. Here, I wish to mention our deep gratitude to the government of India for its invaluable support extended to Myanmar during the recent International Labour Conference meeting in Geneva.

Excellency,

Your visit to Myanmar has provided us an opportunity to strengthen our bonds of friendship. I am confident that we can look forward to even closer cooperation in the years ahead.

In concluding, I wish Your Excellency and the members of your delegation, a pleasant stay in Myanmar.

Excellency,
Distinguished Guests and Friends,

May I invite you to join me in a toast:

- to the lasting friendship between the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of India
- to the good health and happiness of His Excellency Shri Jaswant Singh, External Affairs Minister of India; and
- to the Good health and well-being of all our guests present here tonight.

Thank you.