SIMLA: The Burma-Indian conference, which commenced this morning [Feb 10] in Simla, according to present arrangement, will conclude on February 17. The proceedings of the subsequent sittings will not be open to the press. However, an official statement regarding the decisions reached on the reconstruction proposals affecting the Burma-Indians will be issued to the press later.

Addressing the conference Sir Reginald Dorman Smith, Governor of Burma, said: “Nature decreed that India and Burma should be neighbours and I myself fail to see why they should not be the best of good neighbours. It is common knowledge that in the past there were some sources of friction between the two countries. But I hope that the two Governments will now be able to review the whole field of Indian-Burman relations afresh and that out of our discussions we will reach agreements on all matters of mutual concern, agreements which will satisfy public opinion in both countries. For our part, I do not think that I need say more than that we do attach the greatest importance to the maintenance of good relations between India and Burma.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2019