India welcomes Suu Kyi’s release

The Government of India on Saturday welcomed the release of Nobel Peace laureate and pro-democracy Myanmar leader Madam Aung San Suu Kyi stating that the release will usher in a process of reconciliation in Myanmar.

”We hope that this will be the beginning of the process of reconciliation in Myanmar. The recent elections in Myanmar are an important step in the direction of the national reconciliation process being undertaken by the Government of Myanmar.

“We have always encouraged them to take this process forward in a broad-based and inclusive manner. In this context, as a close neighbour of Myanmar, we are confident that the release of Madam Aung San Suu Kyi will contribute to efforts for a more inclusive approach to political change,” a government release stated.

Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest on Saturday after the end of the latest 18-month term she was serving.

Making her first public appearance since 2003, Suu Kyi urged the people of Myanmar to continue their fight for democratic rights as thousands of her supporters cheered their leader outside here residence here.

The leader also invited her supporters to participate at a rally planned at the National League for Democracy (NLD) office on Sunday.