President APJ Abdul Kalam will pay a three-day state visit to Myanmar next month to enhance bilateral ties and economic cooperation.
The March 8-10 visit comes on the invitation of Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, and will be the first by an Indian president, the external affairs ministry said in a release.
Shwe had visited India in October 2004.
Kalam's visit signals India's interest in developing a long-term economic partnership with Myanmar as well as commitment to cooperate in infrastructure projects, scientific and technological support and human resource development.
Apart from discussions with Shwe on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, Kalam will also address professors and students at Yangon University and interact with scientists and school children.
The president will also pay his respects at the historic Shwe Dagon Pagoda and at the shrine of India's last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
His visit will also include trips to Bagan and Mandalay. Mandalay, 145 km north of Bagan, is the second largest city in Myanmar and the former royal capital of the country.
Bagan was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Myanmar. It is located in the central plains of the country on the banks of the Irrawaddy river and is dotted with ruins of temples and pagodas.
{{/usCountry}}Bagan was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Myanmar. It is located in the central plains of the country on the banks of the Irrawaddy river and is dotted with ruins of temples and pagodas.
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