Modi, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw hold talks

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held extensive talks with Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw to bring a new momentum in bilateral ties between the two neighbours.

This was the first top-level engagement between the two countries after iconic leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy wrested power in Myanmar from the military junta.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the Myanmarese President who is on a four-day India visit.

This is Htin Kyaw's first overseas trip after assuming charge of the top office nearly five months back following the landslide victory of Suu Kyi's party.

He arrived in the Buddhist pilgrimage town of Gaya on Saturday where he visited the Mahabodhi Temple, the most sacred of Buddhist shrines, Daijokyo Buddhist Temple and Myanmar Buddhist Vihara. He travelled to Agra yesterday and paid a visit to Taj Mahal before arriving here.

China has been increasing its footprint in Myanmar and making huge investments in several major projects. For India too, Myanmar is a strategic neighbour and External Affairs Minister during her visit to the country earlier this week conveyed to its leadership that India was ready to provide "all help" to the country in its march ahead.