Closer ties likely for India and Burma with PM's visit

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Burma this week is expected to see a range of new trade and economic ties between the two countries.

These are likely to include a bus link between Imphal and Mandalay, a new line of credit for development projects in gas-rich Burma, and an aviation agreement for more flights between the two countries.

China currently accounts for more than half of Burma's trade, but Pushan Dutt, associate professor of economics and political science at INSEAD told the BBC's Asia Business Report that in the long run India is likely to emerge as a key trading partner for Burma.