Amid tensions in Manipur, defence secretary meets Myanmar senior leadership to discuss drug trafficking, smuggling

It added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other.

India shares an approximately 1,700-km long border with Myanmar. India has deployed thousands of troops in Manipur since the clashes broke out and additional special forces were deployed at the sensitive India-Myanmar border to tackle any possible contingency.

Defence sources told The Indian Express said that the timing of the visit is significant with increasing narcotics smuggling and drug trafficking from Myanmar since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May.

They added that officials from the ministries of defence and external affairs and Armed Forces officials were part of the delegation accompanying the defence secretary.

“Support to the valley based insurgent groups, inflow of arms to rioters and tacit external support compounding the lawlessness in the state were also on the agenda for discussions,” an official said.

As per the defence ministry, Aramane met chairman, state administrative council senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw.

He also called on the defence minister of Myanmar Gen (Retd.) Mya Tun Oo and held meetings with Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Navy Admiral Moe Aung and Chief of Defence Industries Lt Gen Khan Myint Than.

“Any developments in that country have a direct impact on India’s bordering regions. Peace and stability in Myanmar and well-being of its people, therefore, remain of utmost importance to India,” the defence ministry statement mentioned.