India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Myanmar for his first state visit to the country since coming to power three years ago.
The visit is believed to be an attempt by India to respond to China's growing economic presence in the country.
An important pillar of India's Act East policy, Myanmar has been the country's key partner in South East Asia for 70 years but there is a concern that the Aung San Suu Kyi government is warming up to Beijing at Delhi's expense.
Our India correspondent Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.
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The visit is believed to be an attempt by India to respond to China's growing economic presence in the country.
An important pillar of India's Act East policy, Myanmar has been the country's key partner in South East Asia for 70 years but there is a concern that the Aung San Suu Kyi government is warming up to Beijing at Delhi's expense.
Our India correspondent Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.
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When Narendra Modi lands in Nay Pyi Taw, China will be foremost on his agenda. Beijing has been wooing Myanmar with infrastructure projects. As part of its one Belt One road scheme- China has promised a $7 billion investment in a port at Kyaukphyu and thousands of jobs to go with it.
India's total development assistance to Myanmar stands at only $2 billion so it's likely Mr Modi will offer more aid. While India looks at Myanmar as its gateway to ASEAN countries, for China Myanmar is its path to the Indian Ocean.
According to Gautam Sen- an expert on Indo-Burmese ties, India has a lot to lose because of China's unhindered presence in the region.
((SOT: Guatam Sen, Strategic Expert))
"The development that China is aiming at through Myanmar that will constrict India's market in Myanmar substantially. All said and done there could be a feeling of encirclement of India around its flanks (by China)"
China's enhanced ties with India's neighbours- Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and now Myanmar are a concern for New Delhi. Aung San Suu Kyi has visited China twice since coming to power- and attended the OBOR summit in May this year in Beijing- a project that India claims is detrimental to its territorial integrity. And promises already made by India haven't been fulfilled yet.
((SOT: Guatam Sen, Strategic Expert))
"The development that China is aiming at through Myanmar that will constrict India's market in Myanmar substantially. All said and done there could be a feeling of encirclement of India around its flanks (by China)"
China's enhanced ties with India's neighbours- Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and now Myanmar are a concern for New Delhi. Aung San Suu Kyi has visited China twice since coming to power- and attended the OBOR summit in May this year in Beijing- a project that India claims is detrimental to its territorial integrity. And promises already made by India haven't been fulfilled yet.
The India-Myanmar-Thailand highway project was slated to be completed last decade but its deadline has now been pushed to 2020. When PM Modi speaks to the Burmese government, India's former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran says India will have to outline how it plans to make good on its ongoing commitments.
((SOT: Shyam Saran, Former Ambassador to Myanmar))
"In terms of developing our own economic and commercial relationship with China we have to compete much more than we did earlier. How do we improve the delivery of what we commit ourselves to. There have been shortcomings in that regard. When PM Modi goes there I hope there will be an assurance of how do we deliver."
Building on existing trade and defence ties is another priority. Earlier this year, India approved a deal to supply lightweight torpedoes to Myanmar in a 40 million USD deal.
Narendra Modi will also look to reassure Myanmar that India is committed to its capacity building without being interventionist. And he's expected to make the case with Myanmar that India can be a useful counter-balance in the region to China's growing presence.
Neha Poonia, New Delhi.