As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Myanmar this week, the Press Council of India and the Myanmar Press Council signed a memorandum of understanding to foster greater media cooperation.

The agreement is to pave the way for exchanges between journalists from the two countries, and “promote better understanding of political and economic developments in India and Myanmar”.

According to reports, the memorandum also aims to encourage “peace journalism”. Among other things, this involves the exchange of knowledge and experience on “non-violent, peaceful journalism”, and “restraint” in the coverage of matters that are likely to escalate conflict. The aim of such journalism, reportedly, is to be a “catalyst in de-escalating conflict”.

The two countries share a 1,640-kilometre border along India’s North East. This includes states such as Nagaland and Manipur, both of which have seen decades of militancy. A number of militant camps are said to be located in Myanmar, where India is believed to have carried out a policy of “hot pursuit” as it launched military strikes across the border.