 Myanmar. The land of golden pagodas, with her dream landscapes and sunny beaches, costs a spell on the visitors instantly, endowed with breathtaking beauty and a pleasant climate. Myanmar is inundated with foreign tourists throughout the year, as each of its provinces has something unique and different to offer. India has deep emotional bonds with Myanmar. As both countries are inextricably linked to each other, historically and culturally, around 2.4 million Indians reside in Myanmar, a place they love the most. Whether it is religion, cuisine or lifestyle, there is not much of a difference between the local Indians and the people of Myanmar. There is a vast and sizable Indian community in Myanmar. Most of them have been here for generations, well established in their own professions and businesses. They are contented to work hand in hand with the Myanmarese people. They are so accustomed to the climate, food and lifestyle of Myanmar that there are no plans to come back to India. Indian cinema is very popular in Myanmar. There are several great cinema halls that show Hindi movies. The Indian Embassy in Yangon also hosts Indian film festivals, not only for the benefit of the Indian community, but also for the benefit of the people of Myanmar. India and Myanmar have shared heritage. They have been cultural links and also ethnic links. When you look at the northeastern India and look at Myanmar, these relations have been there from millennia. There has been much exchange between Myanmar and India over the centuries and that has enriched the social and cultural milieu in both the countries. In the early 1990s, former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao formulated the Look East policy as a fundamental shift in the Indian position. Since then, a special relationship with Myanmar has become the centrepiece of the policy to establish close physical and economic links with her eastern neighbours. Both the governments are also actively working on a proposal to construct a multi-modal transport project connecting Sithwaipot in Myanmar with India via River Kaladar. The Thamukale Kaleva Highway is a shining symbol of India-Myanmar friendship. The India-Myanmar friendship road conceived in March 1993 and inaugurated on February 13, 2001. In bilateral relations too, there is a commonality and continuity between the two countries. Both are working in tandem to build a common future on time-tested foundations. Celebrating 60 years of independence, both India and Myanmar are taking steps to improve ties between them and are ready to embark upon a new journey, which holds out new vistas of prosperity and happiness.