As Chinese President Hu Jintao and PM Manmohan Singh talk bilateral trade and border peace in the Capital, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi has embarked on a three-day visit to Myanmar, Beijing’s close ally in the Bay of Bengal. He will push ahead the arms offers made almost two years ago by his predecessor Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy in November 2004. Tyagi will also visit Cambodia before returning back home on Friday.

After a pair of Naval BN-2 Islander short-range surveillance aircraft was gifted to Yangon in August, Tyagi’s mission will be to revive a host of offers, originally made during Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe’s visit in 2004. This includes a comprehensive fighter aircraft upgrade programme and the sale of HAL-built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), Bharat Electronics (BEL) radars, airborne radio equipment and surveillance electronics.

Other areas of military cooperation include Indian design help with Myanmar’s proposed new family of frigates, arms and ammunition for the ground forces.