India on Saturday welcomed the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi by the military regime in Myanmar, terming it as a step towards the process of reconciliation in that country.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in a statement: “The Government of India welcomes her [Ms. Suu Kyi's] release. We hope this will be the beginning of the process of reconciliation in Myanmar.”
He noted that the recent elections were an important step in the direction of the national reconciliation process being undertaken by the government.
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“We are confident that Ms. Suu Kyi's release will contribute to efforts for a more inclusive approach to political change [in Myanmar].”
He also noted that India had “always encouraged them [the Myanmar government] to take this process [of reconciliation] forward in a broad-based and inclusive manner.”
Ms. Suu Kyi had been jailed or kept under house arrest for more than 15 years of the last 21 years.
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