After reviewing the successful operation of the third Border Liaison Office (BLO) between Changlang in India and Pangsau in Myanmar, both sides agreed to open a fourth BLO between Ukhrul in Manipurin India and Somra in Myanmar.

According to sources in the Indian Home Ministry, the 18th National Level Meeting between Myanmar and India which concluded here last month agreed on nurturing BLOs to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies of both the countries for peace and tranquility along the border.

The Indian delegation was led by the Secretary, Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs AK Mangotra while the Myanmar delegation was led by the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Home Affairs Brig Gen Kyaw Zan Myint.

Recalling the shared culture and traditionally close relationship between India and Myanmar, Mangotra expressed India’s commitment to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries to eliminate the nexus between the drug trade, arms smuggling and extremism/terrorism. He sought Myanmar’s cooperation for co-ordinated patrolling along the India–Myanmar border and dismantling IIGs (terrorist) camps in Myanmar for peace and economic prosperity in the region.

Brig Gen Kyaw Zan Myint reiterated the assurance that Myanmar would never allow insurgents and negative elements to use its own territory for activities inimical to its neighbour India.

Both sides discussed and agreed to cooperate closely on issues like insurgent groups along the border, arms smuggling and drug trafficking, border management, Myanmar fishermen lodged in jails in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, illegal smuggling of wild life parts, inspection and verification of pillars along the border.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over opening of a third Border Liaison Office (BLO) between Changlang in India and Pangsau in Myanmar. Both the leaders emphasized on nurturing BLOs to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies of both the countries for peace and tranquility along the border. It was decided to open a fourth BLO between Ukhrul in Manipur in India and Somra in Myanmar.