India, Myanmar agree to keep border quiet

Visiting External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, who called on the Head of State and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Than Shwe, welcomed the resolve of the Myanmar leadership to continue cooperating actively with India in this regard.

Recalling his visit to India in October last year, Than Shwe expressed satisfaction with follow up action taken by authorities in both countries since his trip.

Both sides had then voiced their firm determination to maintaining peace, stability and tranquillity along the entire length of their common border.

Myanmar had also reiterated that it would not allow insurgent activities against India from its soil. New Delhi has been concerned.

Neither side issued any remarks about the meeting. Afterwards, Singh left Yangon for the northern city of Mandalay, where he was to meet with the large Indian community that lives there.

The talks with Than Shwe followed Singh's meetings Friday with his counterpart Nyan Win and with Prime Minister Lieutenant General Soe Win, on a range of security, economic and development issues.

The two foreign ministers discussed "a broad range of issues relating to politico-economic developments in their respective countries," the Indian embassy said in a statement issued late Friday.

Singh told Nyan Win that India placed "very high priority on its relations with Myanmar as a valuable neighbor and a strategic partner," the statement said.

"In particular, it was agreed that dialogue and concrete cooperation to counter terrorist activities in the border region would be further strengthened," it said.