New Delhi/Nay Pyi Daw: President of Myanmar U Htin Kyaw will pay a four-day state visit to India beginning Saturday with an aim to further expand the traditionally close relations between the two countries by stepping up engagement in diverse areas.

It will be his first State visit after the assumption of office in March by the new government of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, bringing down curtains on five decades of military rule.

The Myanmar President will be accompanied by his wife, Daw Su Su Lwin, several key ministers and senior officials.

Myanmar, considered one of India’s strategic neighbours, shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-infested Nagaland and Manipur.

“During his visit to India, the Myanmar President will have official engagements in New Delhi and also visit places of historical and cultural importance in India,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

It said the visit will help to further strengthen and expand traditionally close ties between the two countries.

In Myanmarese capital Nay Pyi Daw, Htin Kyaw’s office also issued a statement about his visit to India without specifying the dates for it.

The announcement of the visit of the Myanmarese President came three days after External Affairs Minister paid a day- long visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

During her visit, Myanmar’s leaders had assured Swaraj that they would not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against India. On her part, Swaraj had conveyed to Myanmarese leaders that India was ready to extend “all help” to the new government.

PTI