Myanmar’s pro-democracy Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi underlined the importance of relationships between peoples of the two countries as the abiding mantra for lasting friendship rather than a relationship between governments on the first day of her six-day visit. “Friendship between countries should be based on friendship between peoples and not between governments,” she said in her address during the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture.

“I have been asked whether I have been disappointed that India had not stood staunchly by us through the years of struggle for democracy… I was saddened to feel that we had drawn away from India or rather India had drawn away from us during our very difficult days," she said.

Much of the leader's lecture was on the profound influence of Gandhian and Nehruvian thought on her political ideology and strategy.

Suu Kyi, who is visiting the country after 25 years, also focused on small anecdotes that emerged from the personal and friendly ties between Nehru and her father General Aung San, regarded as the hero of Myanmar's independence.