Mekong-Ganga Food Festival Strengthens Myanmar-India Cultural Ties

Yangon, The Gulf Observer: Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Kyaw Soe Win delivered a keynote address at the Mekong-Ganga Food Festival, held yesterday at the historic Secretariat Yangon on Theinbyu Road. The festival was organized by the Embassy of India in Yangon, in collaboration with the Indian Women’s Association in Yangon and the Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Network, with the aim of fostering cultural interaction and strengthening bilateral ties between Myanmar and India.

The event saw the participation of Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Mayor U Bo Htay, officials from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, foreign diplomats, and representatives from various organizations. Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Abhay Thakur, along with distinguished guests, inaugurated the festival by lighting a ceremonial lamp, followed by captivating Indian and Myanmar cultural performances. The Union Minister highlighted the significance of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a regional initiative involving India and five ASEAN countries, in promoting tourism and cultural exchanges. He emphasized that such initiatives, including Myanmar’s ASEAN Food Festival, play a vital role in fostering tourism through public-private partnerships. Expressing optimism about the festival’s impact, he noted that it would open new avenues for cooperation in tourism and cultural promotion. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the presentation of gifts to performers, marking another milestone in the enduring friendship between Myanmar and India.