Thank you Mr. Secretary for convening this meeting of the 'Partnership Group for Peace, Development and Democracy in Myanmar' and for your important briefing. We also commend the indefatigable efforts of your Special Adviser Ambassador Nambiar. We welcome in our midst Ambassador Hau Do Suan, Permanent Representative of Myanmar and thank him for updating us with relevant information.

Mr. Secretary General,

2.    We welcome the successful conduct of elections in Myanmar last year and note the peaceful and orderly transfer of power to the new Government.
 

3.    We also welcome the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Myanmar and 8 ethnic armed groups.
 

4.    As a close and friendly neighbour, India remains committed to extending all possible assistance and support to the process of national reconciliation and further strengthening of democracy in Myanmar.
 

5.    Our cumulative commitment to Myanmar's development through our development partnership program is over US$ 1.75 billion. This includes people-centric projects in the areas of connectivity and capacity-building, health and education infrastructure, and various training programmes.
 

6.    Myanmar which has a land border with four of our North East States is our window to the East and an important partner in our Act East Policy. Establishing connectivity between India and the ASEAN through Myanmar is a priority area for us. Along with the Government of Myanmar, India is undertaking several connectivity projects in Myanmar, namely the Trilateral Highway project, Kaladan Multi-model Transport Project and Rhi Tiddim road.
 

7.    Apart from disaster relief and development assistance, we have extended humanitarian assistance worth US$1 million to the Rakhine State through the Government of Myanmar as part of our support for the relief, rehabilitation and community building measures being undertaken. This has been utilized by Myanmar Government for construction of schools in the state.

 
Mr. Secretary General,
 

8.    The UN agencies and international financial institutions have initiated their developmental work in the country. India believes that this work should continue in a manner that supplements and strengthens Myanmar's own efforts.
 

9.    We also emphasize the need for international community to engage with the Government of Myanmar in order to encourage the advancement of socio-economic development.
I thank you, Mr. Secretary General.