Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Bhutan and Myanmar are giving shelter to certain separatist groups of North-Eastern States;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to stop anti-India activities in Bhutan and Myanmar?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) The Governments of Bhutan and Myanmar are not giving shelter to any separatist groups of North-Eastern States. However, reports have appeared from time to time indicating presence of some Indian insurgent groups in the areas along the India-Bhutan and the India-Myanmar borders.

The Royal Government of Bhutan has repeatedly assured Government of India that Bhutanese territory will not be allowed to be used for activities inimical to India’s interest, under any circumstances. The Government of Myanmar has also assured that it would not allow its territories to be used for activities inimical to India.

(b) Does not arise.
(c) India and Bhutan maintain close cooperation and ongoing dialogue regarding security issues and border management at the Central level through the Secretary-level Joint Working Group on Border Management and Security, and at the State level through Border Districts Coordination Meetings between officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the adjoining states of West Bengal and Assam.

Issues relating to security have been discussed regularly between India and Myanmar, including at the highest levels and a continuous dialogue on security cooperation is maintained with Myanmar through diplomatic and institutional mechanisms. These include National Level Meetings (NLM) and Sectoral Level Meetings (SLM), which are held annually with representatives of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In addition, Foreign Office Consultations, and Border Liaison Meeting (BLM) between Area Commanders of the Armies of the two countries are also held regularly. During the visit of Chairman, State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe to India in July 2010 and External Affairs Minister’s visit to Myanmar in June 2011, both sides agreed to further strengthen the close cooperation between the security forces of the two countries.
http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220217904.

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