Democratic Myanmar gets world leaders
May 28th, 2012 - 4:41 pm ICT by IANS
Nay Pyi Taw, May 28 (IANS) Myanmar’s decision to embrace democracy is getting the once isolated nation plenty of VVIP visitors from around the world.
Manmohan Singh, who landed here Sunday, is only the latest in the list. He is the first Indian prime minister to visit Myanmar in 25 years.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came Nov 30 last year, the first visit by a top US official in over 50 years. John Foster Dulles had made a trip to Myanmar in 1955.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak touched down in Myanmar May 14 this year, making it the first trip by a South Korean leader in 29 years.
More recently, UN chief Ban Ki-moon came to Myanmar April 29. His previous trip was in 2009.
David Cameron was in Myanmar in April this year, the first serving British prime minister to visit Myanmar after its independence in 1948.
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra came to Myanmar for a day in October 2011.
As long as the military junta ruled Myanmar, the international community, mainly the West, kept a safe distance from the regime.
Things began to change when the military rulers decided to accept democracy, even if only reluctantly.
(Rahul Dass can be contacted at rahul.d@ians.in)
- India eyes trade, connectivity during PM's Myanmar visit - May 25, 2012
- Manmohan Singh meets Myanmar President Thein Sein - May 28, 2012
- PM to Thein Sein: India, Myanmar on new journey of cooperation (Second Lead) - May 28, 2012
- Land of white elephants and gold pagodas - Myanmar musings - May 31, 2012
- Manmohan arrives in Myanmar: First Indian PM to visit in 25 years (Second Lead) - May 27, 2012
- PM holds talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein (Lead) - May 28, 2012
- Manmohan, Thein Sein embark on 'new journey' (Third Lead) - May 28, 2012
- India, Myanmar to be better connected, have more trade (Fourth Lead) - May 28, 2012
- Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's expansive, surreal capital (With image) - May 28, 2012
- India, Thailand review FTA talks, push trilateral highway - Aug 10, 2012
- Thai PM chief guest at Republic Day - Jan 26, 2012
- PM arrives in Myanmar - May 27, 2012
- British foreign secretary visits Myanmar - Jan 05, 2012
- Suu Kyi sworn in to Myanmar parliament - May 02, 2012
- Thai PM to be chief guest on India's Republic Day - Dec 02, 2011
Tags: ban ki moon, british prime minister, david cameron, first indian prime minister, hillary clinton, indian prime minister, john foster, john foster dulles, lee myung bak, manmohan, manmohan singh, military junta, military rulers, president lee, safe distance, shinawatra, south korean leader, south korean president, thailand prime minister, us secretary of state