September 02, 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on a two nation tour to China and Myanmar tomorrow. In the first leg of his three day tour to China, Mr Modi will reach Xiamen to attend attend the 9th BRICS Summit there.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi that during the BRICS summit, the member countries will discuss global economic situation. He said, the leaders will also share views to accelerate growth and forward the agenda of development.
Replying to a query, Mr Kumar refused to divulge what the Prime Minister will speak at the upcoming BRICS summit. On the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Mr Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Spokesperson said, such a meeting between the two leaders is yet to be confirmed.
Asked about China’s comment that it will not be appropriate to discuss Pakistan’s counter-terrorism records at the BRICS summit at Xiamen, the spokesperson said he cannot preempt what Mr Modi will say during his interventions at the restricted and plenary sessions of the summit. Mr Kumar said India’s position on terrorism has been very clear and it has been raising the issue at various multilateral forums.
On 5th evening, the Prime Minister will leave for Myanmar. This will be Prime Minister Modi’s first bilateral State visit to that country. Mr Modi will hold discussions with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on matters of mutual interest and also call on President U Htin Kyaw. Both sides are expected to ink a number of agreements and deliberate on key issues including exodus of Rohingya community in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Ways to deepen security and defence cooperation, implementation of India-assisted development projects and the issue of cross border activities by certain insurgent groups along the Indo-Myanmar are likely to figure during Modi’s talks with leadership of the country. Apart from his engagements in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, Mr Modi will visit Yangon and Bagan. (AIR News)
