TNI Bureau: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi to visit India during a meeting with her in Yangon on Tuesday.

Dr Singh is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in quarter of a century and hold discussions with the Nobel laureate Suu Kyi for 45 minutes.

He invited her on behalf of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to visit India, which has a long-standing association with her. The leader also accepted the invitation of Dr Singh saying, “I hope I will be able to take up the invitation not before too long”.

Dr Singh met the 66-year-old opposition leader of Myanmar during his historic vicit to the country. Getting the invitation, she recalled her close association with the country and how her parents were associated with Jawaharlal Nehru and his family.

“India and Burma have been friends not only because of geographical proximity but also because of shared values, heritage and fight for independence,” she said.

Dr Singh praised the personality for her struggle and determination that has inspired millions of people of world. Giving her compliments, he said that India is proud of the very long-standing association with Suu Kyi and her family.