Modi meets Suu Kyi, extends India's solidarity with Myanmar over Rakhine violence issue

Modi  said India shares Myanmar’s concerns over the violence in its Rakhine state, asserting that all parties must respect Myanmar’s unity as a nation.

"India stands with Myanmar over the issue of violence in the Rakhine state which has led to loss of innocent lives,"  MEA spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted quoting Modi.

The two leaders issued a joint statement in which  Modi said the two neighbouring countries had similar security concerns and that it was important for them to work together.

Suu Kyi said  “together we will ensure that terror is not allowed to take roots in our country, on our soil or in neighboring countries.”

Modi said it is important to maintain security and stability along the long land and maritime borders of India and Myanmar.

Modi also announced that citizens of Myanmar who wish to visit India will be given gratis visas, and 40 Myanmarese citizens in Indian jails will be released.

He said the partnership between India and Myanmar in areas of health, education and research will ensure development turns into happiness.

The two nations signed seven MoUs and announced a Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2017 – 2020.

  This is Modi’s first bilateral visit to Myanmar.  He had visited the country in 2014 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-India summit.