Buddhist heritage.

♤ Over a period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937

♤ There are varying estimates of 1.5-2.5 million people of Indian origin living and working in various parts of Myanmar

♤ Myanmar is the only ASEAN country adjoining India and, therefore, India’s gateway to South East Asia with which we are seeking greater economic integration through India's 'Look East' and now 'Act East' Policy.

♤ The landslide victory by Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD) in November 2015 general elections and the formation of NLD government has provided opportunities to strengthen the engagement building on previous efforts.

♤ Various institutional mechanisms: The first meeting of the India-Myanmar Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) was held on 16 July 2015 at New Delhi.

♤ Secretary-level meetings include Foreign Office Consultations at the level of Foreign Secretary/Dy Foreign Minister.

♤ Myanmar side has provided assurances at the highest levels that it will cooperate with India in taking necessary action in preventing the use of Myanmar territory for anti-India activity.

1.2.1. Key Visits

♤ Then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh’s State Visit to Myanmar took place (May 2012) after 25

years.

♤ Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 12thASEAN-India Summit and 9 th East Asia Summit (Nov 11-13, 2014, Nay Pyi Taw).

♤ Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw undertook a State Visit to India from August 27-30, 2016.

♤ State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi undertook a State Visit to India on 17- 19 October 2016 after participating in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in October, at Goa.