The Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST) has conducted capacity building programme for 30 Parliamentarians and 30 Parliamentary officials from Myanmar.

The Chairperson of the National League for democracy of Myanmar, Suu Kyi said that her country was moving on the path to democracy in a slow and steady manner and would need the cooperation of its valued neighbours, particularly India in this endeavour, when she met the Speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) Meira Kumar, here on Thursday.

She hoped that the “spirit of democracy and Rule of Law would be further deepened” and the engagement between the two Parliaments would “take bilateral relations to greater heights.”

Dwelling on the imperative of Parliamentary democracy, she said “ I prefer a turbulent Parliament over a quiet one, as it showcased the power of the people.”

The Lok Sabha Speaker said “we look at Myanmar as a natural ally to ensure peace and prosperity for the people of the two countries, especially those living in India’s North-Eastern States.”

Meira Kumar recalled occasional interactions with Suu Kyi during their school days in Jaipur. She also congratulated her on her party’s spectacular victory in the elections held in Myanmar in April this year.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said that India had made tremendous progress in the fields of agriculture, IT, education, healthcare and offered to share India’s expertise and experience with Myanmar for the benefit of the people of both the countries.

Reciprocating the sentiments expressed by the Lok Sabha Speaker, Suu Kyi said that the foundations of relationship between India and Myanmar are laid in history and culture. She observed that the friendship between the leaders of the two countries, both personal and political, would never fade away.

Suu Kyi planted a sapling of Magnolia Grandlora (commonly known as Champa) in the Parliament House complex in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker.