India has extended a standing invitation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to travel to Darjeeling on his next visit to India. The invitation was extended by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during his informal talks during his 24-hour visit to Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw with the army chief, General MM Naravane.
It started with a packet of tea from the Seeyok Estate in Darjeeling’s Mirik Valley that Shringla and Gen Naravane had brought as a gift to the most powerful man in Myanmar. Shringla told him she was from her hometown, Darjeeling.
General Hlaing told visitors that he loved Darjeeling tea and had always wanted to visit the hill station that is in the shadow of the snow-covered Kanchenjunga peak. The military commander’s guests immediately told him that Darjeeling would be included in his itinerary the next time he visits India.
The major general also received a statue of Vitarka Buddha hand-carved by artisans from Tamil Nadu. The Buddha Vitarka signifies the discussion and transmission of the Buddha’s teachings and is represented by joining the tips of the thumb and index fingers while keeping the other fingers straight.
State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi also received an award-winning tea package from the Makaibari Tea estate in Darjeeling. Aung San Suu Kyi, who has lived in India for years, is no stranger to Darjeeling. As this conversation also revolved around tea and her preferences, Suu Kyi said she preferred Lopchu, a 90-year-old brand of tea that is famous for its smoky aroma and flavor. It is grown on a tea estate situated between Darjeeling and Teesta at an altitude of 4,800 feet and is a gift chosen by Indian dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For the people of Myanmar, the two senior Indian officials delivered a shipment of 3,000 vials of the drug Remdesivir and promised more if the need arose. This was Shringla’s first visit to Myanmar after his promotion as Foreign Secretary in January this year.
The high-powered visit was designed as India’s approach to neighboring countries and cementing ties between the two countries in areas ranging from security to connectivity.
A statement from the Myanmar government later said that the two parties during this visit also discussed the possibility of India developing joint production of the Covid-19 vaccine, putting the Sittwe port into operation in early 2021 and conducting vocational training programs for young people. in Rakhine State and exchange of visits by parliamentarians and young people.
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