Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who is visiting Myanmar, said that the northeastern Indian state is the gateway to Southeast Asia and the border town of Moreh would be "developed" soon.
Singh, who is in Yangon, on Friday inaugurated an international conference on "India-Myanmar Relations: The Way Forward". He is chief guest of the two-day conference attended by representatives from Southeast Asian countries.
"This is another step on the Act East policy. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are marching ahead. During his last visit to Myanmar he did many things to consolidate the historical ties between India and Myanmar. Manipur is the gateway to Southeast Asian countries," Biren said in his inaugural speech.
Biren said Moreh town, which borders Myanmar, would be "developed". It is the centre of the legalised border trade between the two countries, he said, and added that visa on arrival will be provided for the Buddhist monks and patients to Manipur from Southeast Asian countries.
"I invite the Myanmarese journalists to come to Manipur during the 10-day Sangai tourism festival beginning from November 21, so that they could contribute towards the economic developments of the two countries," the Chief Minister said.
He also extended invitation to the international businessmen to come to Manipur in view of the fast growing economic ties between India and Myanmar.
The two countries used to have barter system of business along the border. Both agreed to legalise the border trade in 1995. As a part of the Act East policy the Centre is also giving special attention to the trade at Moreh in Manipur and Namphalong in Myanmar.
--IANS
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