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Burma, India Sign Defense, Economic Deals

   VOA News 27 July 2010
   Burma's Senior Gen. Than Shwe, left, and Indian President Pratibha Dev
   Singh  Patil,  right,  walk  during  a  ceremonial  reception  at  the
   Presidential Palace in New Delhi, 27 Jul 2010

Photo: AP

   Burma's Senior Gen. Than Shwe, left, and Indian President Pratibha Dev
   Singh  Patil,  right,  walk  during  a  ceremonial  reception  at  the
   Presidential Palace in New Delhi, 27 Jul 2010

   India  and  Burma have signed several new agreements to build stronger
   economic  and  defense  ties,  during  a  visit  to  India  by Burma's
   reclusive military ruler.
   Senior  General  Than  Shwe,  received a formal welcome Tuesday in New
   Delhi,  where  he  met  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian
   officials.
   The   two  countries  signed  five  agreements  following  the  talks,
   including  a plan to jointly combat arms smuggling across their shared
   border.  India also agreed to help Burma in a host of projects such as
   building roads, developing waterways, and a port.
   Rights  groups  have  criticized India for engaging with Burma, citing
   concerns  about  the  Burmese government's continued repression of its
   political  opponents. Pro-democracy activists have held demonstrations
   in New Delhi to protest against Than Shwe's five-day visit.
   Aside  from  their  shared  border,  Burma  is  of important strategic
   interest to India because of its large natural gas reserves.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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