Myanmar moving closer to India as it opens up

NAY PYI TAW: There appears to be a consensus across Myanmar's government headed by President Thein Sein and opposition Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy that the country needs to move closer to India at it travels down the path of political and economic reforms.

Government officials and a leader of NLD, when contacted in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw built by China and in Yangon, said "now that we are on the path of political reforms, we need greater interaction with India, one of the world's biggest democracy where the political system has its own checks and balances."

There is appreciation in Myanmar that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his first visit to this country, has struck a balance in its approach between the two sides, said the officials and the NLD leader requesting anonymity because they are not authorised to speak on record.

They point out that Singh had, during his speeches at different fora, commended President Sein, a former military general, for initiating dramatic political reforms including release of political prisoners, easing of media censorship and allowing NLD to contest and win parliament byelections.

At the same time, the Prime Minister paid rich compliments to democracy icon Suu Kyi for her struggle and determination for ushering in democracy and hoped she would play a defining role in Myanmar's movement towards fuller democratic order. He also described as an "old friend of India".

Myanmarese officials and a NLD leader interpret Singh's remarks as a message that both sides in Myanmar should work together in a spirit of give and take to take forward the political reforms.

The NLD leader said what Suu Kyi now wants is to "anchor the political reforms and take them forward".