India says Burmese military ruler General Than Shwe has told Indian leaders that his military government is committed to bringing democracy to Burma.
An Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman says General Than Shwe told Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (Monday) that Burma's military government believes democracy can bring peace and prosperity to the country.
General Than Shwe's comments come days after the ouster of General Khin Nyunt as Burma's prime minister. Khin Nyunt was considered the man behind Burma's so-called "roadmap" to democracy.
Burmese exiles in India held several protests Monday. They blame Burma's military government for suppressing Burma's pro-democracy activists. They also criticized India for hosting General Than Shwe's visit, the first by a Burmese head of state in 24 years.