In Pics: Narendra Modi in Myanmar

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Myanmar's President U Thein Sein to begin a string of bilateral meetings with over 40 world leaders during his 10-day three-nation tour on the margins of key multilateral summits here and in Australia and a visit to Fiji.Modi met Then Sein at the Presidential Palace here shortly after his arrival at the Nay Pyi Taw international airport where he was given a guard of honour and greeted by young boys and girls in traditional costumes. He was welcomed by Myanmar's Health Minister Than Aung.After his 45-minute meeting, Modi tweeted that he had a "very good" meeting with President Thein Sein. "We had extensive discussions covering various aspects of our bilateral relations," he said."We talked about strengthening ties in the fields of culture, commerce and enhancing connectivity," said Modi, who is expected to make a strong pitch to enhance regional connectivity at the one-day 12th annual ASEAN-India summit tomorrow.Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin posted on his Twitter account that the two leaders had "comprehensive" discussions and reviewed all aspects of bilateral ties."Connectivity, commercial ties and cultural bonds figured in talks with President Thein Sein," he said, as India seeks deeper economic engagement with southeast Asian nations.The Prime Minister earlier on landing had tweeted, "Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country," Modi tweeted on his arrival."Our ties with South East Asia are deep rooted. Strengthening relations with ASEAN nations is an important part of our 'Act East' policy," he had earlier tweeted.Besides participating in the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit here and at the G20 summit in Brisbane in Australia, Modi is due to have several meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of these international events."Summits, important bilaterals, meeting over 40 world leaders," he tweeted as he left New Delhi by a special Air India plane.On the sidelines of the international summits in Myanmar, Modi will be meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Singaporean President Tony Tan besides meeting the host President Thein Sein, Indian officials said.Modi will have his first meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia summit at Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar as he is set to meet several world leaders bilaterally there and in Australia.Kicking off his three-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday landed in Myanmar, which India sees as a "natural bridge" to southeast Asia, and held talks with Myanmarese President U Thein Sein with focus on connectivity, cultural contacts, and commercial ties.The 45-minute talks, the first meet between the two leaders, were held shortly after Modi arrived on a two-day visit and was accorded a guard of honour. People dressed in traditional attire also flocked to greet him."Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country," Modi tweeted. He also posted a picture.In Myanmar, Modi will meet leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the ASEAN-India summit. He will also meet the leaders of the East Asia Summit, which include the ASEAN and seven others besides India, during the Nov 12-13 summits.In his departure statement Monday, Modi said he had left "with a great sense of anticipation and fully conscious of the significance of the India-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit". He described ASEAN as "at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century" and East Asia Summit as a platform ahead of others in its "potential to shape this region and the world's future". During their talks Tuesday, Modi and Thein Sein reviewed progress of major connectivity projects, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, and Kaladan transport project.Both sides view the trilateral highway as an opportunity for industrial cooperation, and sought to explore the possibility of setting up industrial parks along the highway. The Imphal-Mandalay bus service also came up for discussion, an official statement said.As cultural contacts came up, it was decided that students from Myanmar shall also study at the revived Nalanda University.Thein Sein remarked as India grows and develops, his country would also benefit.During the talks, the possibility of India investing in Special Economic Zones in Myanmar was discussed. Investment in the oil and gas sector in Myanmar, and India's assistance in development projects in the agriculture and skill development sectors also came up for discussion.Modi recalled the warm communication he had received from Thein Sein when he assumed the prime minister's office after his party's victory in the general elections. Thein Sein, who said he followed Indian events closely, also praised the development model of Gujarat when Modi was chief minister of the western Indian state.The Myanmar president also invited the Indian prime minister for a bilateral visit, saying there is a lot of commonality between the two countries, which he sees, "as brothers".He also suggested Modi to visit the historic cities of Bagan and Mandalay. Modi accepted the invitation and in return also invited Thein Sein to visit India.From Myanmar, next on Modi's itinerary is Australia for the G20 meet in Brisbane Nov 15-16.He will also travel to Fiji Nov 19.During his 10-day-sojourn, he would be meeting more than 40 leaders, including around 20 bilateral meetings with the leaders of China, Germany, Britain and South Korea.