NEW DELHI - India has agreed to build a multimillion-dollar (euro) seaport and transportation system in Myanmar as it presses ahead with investment in its much-criticized neighbor. The second-highest ranking member of Myanmars ruling junta, Senior Gen. Maung Aye, signed the deal Wednesday with Indian Vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari during the Myanmar officials visit to India, according to a statement from Indias Foreign Ministry.
India has been investing in Myanmar despite international calls for sanctions on the Southeast Asian countrys military government, which violently suppressed pro-democracy protests several months ago. India has established deep economic and military ties with Myanmars ruling junta over the past decade and has said it believes talking quietly is a better approach than sanctions.
The ministry statement gave no details of the deal. Indian officials earlier said the US$120 million (Ð81 million) project it involves would see India upgrade waterways and highways along Myanmars Kaladan River and develop the port of Sittway in the countrys northwest. "This project will greatly enhance connectivity between Myanmar and India, in particular with Indias northeast states, the statement said. |