Indo-Myanmar Talks From Today

New Delhi, Jan 19 : After tasting success with Bhutan and Bangladesh, India has now turned its focus on Myanmar to flush out the militants operating from that country. The issue is on top of the agenda of the three-day Home Secretary level talks slated to take place in Nay Pyi Taw from tomorrow.

The two countries would be also mulling sealing of the entire 370 km of the international border in Manipur sector following pressure of the Congress-ruled State Government. Currently only 10 km of the international border in Moreh sector, is proposed to be sealed.

Even as Union Home Secretary G K Pillai left for Bangkok en-route to the Myanmar capital, Manipur Government pressed the Centre to seal the international border and deploy Assam Rifles in adequate numbers to prevent infiltration ofmilitants into the State from the neighbouring country.

Assam Rifles is raising 26 battalions primarily to guard the 1600 km long porous international border infamous for drug smuggling, movement ofmilitants and other illegal activities.

Home Secretary Pillai is holding talks with the Myanmar delegation to be headed by Brigadier General Phone Swe.

Sources here said that India is expected to call for flush-out operations in the neighbouring country to drive out the militants operating from that country. New Delhi has been raising the issue of North-east insurgent outfits setting up camps in Myanmar.

Camps are operated and used by both the factions of the NSCN, ULFA, PLA, UNLF, PREPAK, KNLF, besides other Manipuri militant outfits.

Sources said the Home Secretary is also going to raise the issue of demarcation and fencing of the international border. The fencing of the entire Indo-Myanmar border has been delayed due to the lack of a clearly demarcated boundary line.

India is likely to hold an extensive discussion on cooperation in counter-terrorism and curbing transnational crimes. Other issues include sharing of intelligence and other security-related issues.

However, India’s intention is to press Myanmar to crack down on the North-east insurgent groups in a bid to further corner the militant outfits. ULFA, for instance had reportedly shifted most of its cadres from Bangladesh toMyanmar. Elusive command-in-chief Paresh Baruah and a couple of his close aides are reportedly shuttling between Myanmar and China.

With improvement in business relations between the two countries and focus shifting to South East neighbours under the flagship Look East Policy, the two countries might work out a joint strategy to tackle themilitants.