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Manmohan Singh, the first Indian premier to visit in a quarter of a century, said he "sincerely" hoped the Nobel laureate would visit, in a joint press conference in Yangon ahead of Suu Kyi's first trip abroad in 24 years.
"We in India are very proud of our long-standing association with her and members of the family, including her parents," he said. Suu Kyi has a strong personal tie to India, where she studied while her mother was ambassador there.
New Delhi has faced international criticism in the past for its engagement with Myanmar's former junta, which kept the democracy activist locked up and silenced under house arrest for 15 of the past 22 years.
But India has since pointed to recent dramatic reforms under a new quasi-civilian regime, including Suu Kyi's election to parliament in April by-elections, as a validation of its stance.
Singh's visit to Myanmar is seen as part of efforts by energy-hungry India to boost trade links and contest the influence of regional rival China.
The neighbours signed 12 agreements covering an array of issues including security, development of border areas, trade and transport links after the Indian leader held talks with reformist Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday.
Suu Kyi said she was "very gratified" by the invitation to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru memorial lecture, which honours India's first prime minister after independence, adding she hoped to be able to take up the offer "before too long".
"As you all know India and Burma have been particularly close over the years, not just because of our geographical positions but because we have shared deep ties of friendship for many, many long years," she said, using the country's former name.
The veteran activist spoke as she prepared to venture outside Myanmar for the first time since 1988, with a trip to Thailand that observers say is a clear sign of her confidence in the country's reform process.
New Delhi was once a staunch supporter of the democracy icon, but changed tack and sought engagement with Myanmar's former junta in the mid-1990s.
US President Barack Obama chided New Delhi during a visit to India in 2010 for not speaking out over human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Following her release from house arrest in 2010 after controversial elections, Suu Kyi said that she had been "saddened" by India's lack of support.
© ANP/AFP
India's prime minister on Tuesday invited Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to visit as New Delhi looks to rebuild a relationship damaged by its once close ties with the former junta.
Manmohan Singh, the first Indian premier to visit in a quarter of a century, said he "sincerely" hoped the Nobel laureate would visit, in a joint press conference in Yangon ahead of Suu Kyi's first trip abroad in 24 years.
"We in India are very proud of our long-standing association with her and members of the family, including her parents," he said. Suu Kyi has a strong personal tie to India, where she studied while her mother was ambassador there.
New Delhi has faced international criticism in the past for its engagement with Myanmar's former junta, which kept the democracy activist locked up and silenced under house arrest for 15 of the past 22 years.
But India has since pointed to recent dramatic reforms under a new quasi-civilian regime, including Suu Kyi's election to parliament in April by-elections, as a validation of its stance.
Singh's visit to Myanmar is seen as part of efforts by energy-hungry India to boost trade links and contest the influence of regional rival China.
The neighbours signed 12 agreements covering an array of issues including security, development of border areas, trade and transport links after the Indian leader held talks with reformist Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday.
Suu Kyi said she was "very gratified" by the invitation to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru memorial lecture, which honours India's first prime minister after independence, adding she hoped to be able to take up the offer "before too long".
"As you all know India and Burma have been particularly close over the years, not just because of our geographical positions but because we have shared deep ties of friendship for many, many long years," she said, using the country's former name.
The veteran activist spoke as she prepared to venture outside Myanmar for the first time since 1988, with a trip to Thailand that observers say is a clear sign of her confidence in the country's reform process.
New Delhi was once a staunch supporter of the democracy icon, but changed tack and sought engagement with Myanmar's former junta in the mid-1990s.
US President Barack Obama chided New Delhi during a visit to India in 2010 for not speaking out over human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Following her release from house arrest in 2010 after controversial elections, Suu Kyi said that she had been "saddened" by India's lack of support.
© ANP/AFP