Prime Minister Singh, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 25 years since 1987, was greeted with a guard of honour as he met President TheinSein in the capital Naypyidaw.

The two sides signed 12 agreements to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties –on border area development, air services, cultural exchanges, a $500m credit line between India’s Export-Import Bank and Myanmar Foreign Trade bank and establishment of a joint trade and investment forum.

On his arrival in Myanmar, he said – “We need to work with each other and with other countries of our region to build prosperity, promote openness of thought and facilitate trade and movement of goods, people and ideas.” During his three-day trip, Manmohan Singh also met opposition leader Aung San SuuKyi, whose mother once served as Burma’s Ambassador to India and had bilateral meetings with Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other leaders.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also took part in the third BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit, which focused on increasing connectivity and establishing architecture of subregional economic cooperation.

India wishes to see BIMSTEC promote economic and energy cooperation, encourage cultural links and strengthen security contacts.