NEW DELHI, Oct. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- India and Myanmar will sign an accord in the field of non-traditional security issues during the six-day state visit of Senior General Than Shwe from October 24, the first head of state visit from Myanmar in 24 years, the Press Trust of India reported Friday.

    Than will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising eight cabinet ministers including those looking after industry, energy, rail transportation, communications, science and technology and health.

    He will meet President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern.

    New Delhi views the visit as historic as it is expected to contribute significantly to further consolidating and expanding bilateral relations.

    A cultural exchange program for 2004-06 and another Memorandum of Understanding on the Tamanthi hydroelectric project in Myanmar would also be signed during the visit.

    The two sides are also expected to finalize an accord on counter-terrorism.

    Myanmar is the only Association of South East Asian Nations country with which India shares both land and maritime boundaries. Enditem