AFP, NEW DELHI: A high-level military delegation from Myanmar plans to seek defence hardware from India, a member of the team said Thursday.
There has been widespread speculation in Indian military circles that New Delhi would seek to sell arms to neighbouring Myanmar on concessional terms to try to blunt China's influence in the country.
There have also been press reports that Myanmar may seek assistance from India to build a air force for the country.
“We are looking at procurements from India but the equipment will not be for the infantry which we manage on our own,” the delegation member said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“There have been some discussions here and we will meet again,” the official said, on the sidelines of a four-day armament fair attended by 300 defence companies from 21 countries and 18 defence ministers.
“We cannot discuss these matters openly but it would be significant in terms of supply.”
The delegation's visit comes five months after Indian naval chief Admiral Madhavendra Singh travelled to Yangon in what officials said was a trip to seek access to Myanmar's ports for Indian ships.
India strained relations with Myanmar after giving sanctuary to exile groups following the military's seizure of power in Yangon in 1988.
But relations between the two countries have improved in the past two years with a number of high-level diplomatic exchanges.
In 2002, India resumed arms shipments to Myanmar. Early last month, there were reports Myanmar had launched a crackdown against Indian rebels operating from its soil.
