Border trade and steps to curb narcotics smuggling of narcotics also figured in the talks. India, due to its strategic location, is a favoured transit route for narcotics destined for Europe from Southwest and Southeast Asia.

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta led the Indian side while the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Brigadier Gen Phone Swe headed the Myanmarese delegation for the 14th annual Home Secretaries-level talks between the two countries. The last meeting was held in Myanmar last February.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil referred to India’s Look East policy and underlined the importance of greater cooperation in security and border management when Swe called on him after the meeting.