The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) and Chairman Chief of Staff Committee (COSC). NAK Browne left for Myanmar on Monday for a four day Defence Cooperation visit.

The Indian Air Chief Marshal Browne, who is leading a five member Composite Defence Delegation team comprising of senior officers of the three services, would call on President U Thien Sein, Commander-in-Chief Defence Services and Vice Senior Gen Min Aung Hlang and Commander-in-Chief, Air Services Gen Myat Hein and discuss reinforcing defence ties.

The discussions would set the agenda for the forthcoming visit of the Indian Defence Minister, AK Antony’s visit to Myanmar for strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two immediate neighbours.

The Indian Prime Minister’s historic visit to Myanmar after 25 years in May this year in response to the earlier visit to India by the Myanmar President U Thien Sein have demonstrated the willingness to the two countries to come closer.

India by recently inviting the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has shown its willingness to engage with the multi-polity arrangement in that country.

The Indian Air Chief would discuss a wide range of bilateral issues on the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries and further outline areas of mutual interest as part of a broader military engagement.

India- Myanmar share a common boundary spanning 1650 km where relations are multifaceted and founded on historic linkages. Trans-border terrorism, terrorists bases in Myanmar and facilitation of border trade will figure in the discussions.

The Indian delegation is planned to visit the National Defence College where they would be briefed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home affairs and Economic Department. The delegation is also planned to visit the Flying Training Base, Aircraft Production and Assembly Plant at Shante and the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Kalaw.