In a significant development, the Burmese government has agreed to launch military operations to drive out Indian insurgent groups holed up in its territory in Burma.
Disclosing that Burma has, in principle, also agreed to stop anti-India forces operating from its territory, authoritative security sources in the home ministry told this newspaper that Indian delegation led by home secretary R.K. Singh handed over a list of camps of insurgent groups to its counterpart in Burma.
Informing that close to 3,000 cadres of different separatist outfits of the region are present in Burma, security sources said that the home ministry has also agreed to develop infrastructure in and around the Naga Hills of Burma.
Indicating that the response of Burmese authorities was very assertive on insurgency front, security sources said that they have also agreed to share intelligence on movement of insurgents. Security sources said that Burma has assured to check the free-movement of Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah who is reported to have been shuttling between China and Burma.
Though, Burma is overburdened in dealing with the problem of its own rebels groups, security sources said that India has agreed to help in capacity-building of its police force in tackling the situation.
Indicating that Burma was opposed to idea of launching joint operations in its territory, security sources said that India would, however, help them in construction of roads and infrastructure in several under-developed areas adjoining the border.
Apart from financial assistance to expedite the construction of tri-lateral highways in between India-Burma and Thailand, security sources said that a MoU proposing bilateral cooperation between the two countries was also signed.
The home secretary-level meeting between the two countries also discussed strategy to check smuggling of drugs, arms ands ammunition.
India shares a 1,640 km-long border with Burma, which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.