Embassy of IndiaYangon, Myanmar

Address by Ambassador Abhay Thakur

on the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of ITEC Programme

MICC II- Banquet Hall

Nay Pyi Taw

October 24, 2024

Your Excellency Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Madam Daw Kyu Kyu Hla
Joint Secretary of the State Administration Council,
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, dignitaries, officials, and ITEC alumni,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Minglabar and Good Evening.

It is a singular honor and great pleasure for Surabhi and me to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Madam Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, as well as all our distinguished guests, on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of ITEC, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, being celebrated in Naypyitaw.

ITEC is India’s leading, flagship capacity building initiative, that has enabled us to join hands with the developing world in the spirit of knowledge sharing and inclusive growth. The idea behind it is to build steadfast and reliable partnerships, by sharing our own extensive experience and successful learnings, with the rest of the world. It is ingrained in India’s ancient philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which means “the world is one family”, underscoring the inter-connectedness and interdependence of the entire world. The full Shlok, or verse, in Sanskrit, reads “अयं बन्धुरयंनेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्, उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्”, which, in essence, means that “the large-hearted do not consider one individual as a friend and the other as enemy, since the entire universe or world is but one family”. In fact, here we are referring not only to human beings as one family, but also to the animal and plant kingdoms, and the environment surrounding us, as part of one family and one unit.

In the context of our ties with Myanmar, this means that just as families often look out for each other, India has always stood firmly with Myanmar. One example of it was the recent delivery of 53 tons of relief material to Myanmar, after Typhoon Yagi, by India. In addition, various Indian and Indian-origin Associations and businesses, who are present amidst us today, including the All-Myanmar Hindu Central Council, the Indian Women’s Association, the India-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce, the Overseas Agro Traders Association, the Global Organization of Persons of Indian Origin and the Myanmar India Friendship Association, have all generously donated to charities working for the relief of the victims of Typhoon Yagi. Our endeavour has been to be Myanmar’s true friend, a friend in need, of which “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is the underlying belief.

Excellency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has endorsed developmental cooperation with all friendly countries through his emphatic call ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas Sabka Vishvas aur Sabka Prayas’, which means, “Together with all, Development of all, Trust of all and Efforts of all”. The three Voice of Global South (VOGS) Summits hosted by India so far have seen extensive participation from developing partner countries, including Myanmar. The VOGS Summits have shown the strong connect within the developing world. Prime Minister Modi called for comprehensive development assistance efforts in a “Development Compact” between nations. Under his leadership, India has also intensified cooperation in the BIMSTEC region, particularly in the fields of connectivity, mutual security, trade-economic cooperation and capacity building.

Coming specifically to ITEC, since its inception in 1964, more than 200,000 officials from 160+ countries have received training under ITEC in varied specialties in both civilian and defense sectors. Currently ITEC offers nearly 10,000 fully-funded in-person training opportunities through nearly 400 courses offered at 100+ eminent institutes in India each year. In the last 10 years, India has offered close to 100,000 world-class training courses and scholarships at premier institutions in India. The ITEC program also includes deputation of Indian experts abroad and customized training programs. With Myanmar in particular, capacity building and knowledge sharing has been a defining pillar of our relations. ITEC was initiated in Myanmar in 1996 with only 30 slots, which have swiftly grown over the years. In the last three years, nearly 1800 Myanmar nationals have benefited from our regular ITEC programs. In addition, recent customized training programs covered 99 power sector professionals, 400 Judges and Judicial Officers, NDC courses, English language training, and 19 beneficiaries of 2-year degree courses in Social Work. In addition to ITEC, the Indian Council for Cultural Relation or ICCR also offers full scholarships to Myanmar students for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs, in a range of subjects. In the academic year 2024-25, under the ICCR scholarship program, 36 Myanmar students joined various universities in India.

In the similar spirit of sharing our knowledge and experience of democratic practices, I am glad to state that the Second Round of Lecture Series on Constitutionalism and Federalism is scheduled to take place next month in New Delhi. I hope that India’s experience and best practices of over seven decades as the world’s largest democracy, and as a successful example of unity in diversity, can be of use to Myanmar.

Furthermore, in our endevour of making our developmental assistance program more impactful, we have always found a willing, effective and forthcoming partner in Myanmar. I am glad that today we are signing MOUs on 5 Quick Impact Projects, or QIPs, in areas like IT, e-governance, e-learning, law enforcement and rural infrastructure for the benefit of the people in diverse regions and states, including Naypyitaw, Yangon, Sagaing, Tanintharyi and Mandalay.

Today I would like to especially express my deep and profound gratitude to His Excellency the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Madam Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, for kindly finding time to join us and encourage us with their presence. Your Excellency’s presence shows the importance you attach to human resource development for ensuring holistic growth and economic progress of Myanmar. I also thank all the distinguished Myanmar dignitaries and officials, the 200 plus ITEC alumni, and Members of the Indian and Indian-origin community, for joining us today.

Excellency, in conclusion, let me say that our ITEC Day today is being observed during a very festive and auspicious period. Last week the people of Myanmar celebrated Thadingyut, which marks Lord Buddha’s descent from heaven on the full moon day. Next week the people of India will celebrate Diwali, which marks Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya on the new moon day. Both are festivals of light, both festivals are a reflection of each other, and both are equally a reflection of the close ties of kinship that bind the people of India and Myanmar together. So in the spirit of the festivals of lights today, I hope and pray that may this historic and august gathering bless our ties and our friendship, and continue to shine the light and lead the way for ever closer cooperation between India and Myanmar.

Thank you and long live the friendship between India and Myanmar!!

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