Aung Hlaing is currently on a five-day visit to India, marking a significant step in enhancing relations between the two neighbouring countries. The visit comes less than two months after he assumed office as President following Myanmar's parliamentary elections.
The elections were conducted in December and January after years of unrest and protests against the military administration that seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Addressing the media after the talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Modi raised the issue of Aung San Suu Kyi during discussions with the visiting President. He stated that the conversation largely focused on Myanmar's ongoing peace process and reflected India's long-standing position supporting lasting peace, inclusivity, and the participation of all stakeholders in national reconciliation efforts.
Describing the exchange as an open and wide-ranging discussion, Misri emphasized that India's engagement with Myanmar is not intended as commentary on the country's internal political arrangements.
According to the Foreign Secretary, the discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, defence and security matters, border management, development assistance, and the broader regional situation.
Both countries expressed a strong desire to expand collaboration in trade and investment, healthcare, education, energy, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The leaders also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas critical to future economic growth and regional development.
Misri stated that Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's support for Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of sovereign territory for activities that could threaten the security interests of either nation.
"The President of Myanmar, in particular, reiterated the assurance that Myanmar's territory would not be permitted to be used against India's security interests," Misri said.
Myanmar remains one of India's key strategic neighbours, sharing a 1,640-kilometre-long border with several northeastern states, including Nagaland and Manipur, regions that have historically faced security and insurgency-related challenges.
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Misri said it reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen their long-standing partnership and work together for mutual benefit, economic growth, and regional prosperity.
The high-level engagement also included a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and President Aung Hlaing on Sunday, during which they discussed important aspects of bilateral cooperation and security coordination.
The Myanmar President is accompanied by a senior delegation that includes cabinet ministers, top government officials, and business leaders. Aung Hlaing was originally scheduled to participate in the International Big Cat Alliance Summit in New Delhi on June 1, but the event has been deferred.
As part of his visit, the Myanmar President will travel to Mumbai on June 2 for meetings with business and industry representatives, as well as site visits aimed at promoting greater economic engagement between the two countries.
The visit underscores the growing strategic importance of India-Myanmar relations at a time when regional security, border stability, economic cooperation, and technological partnerships are becoming increasingly significant for both nations and the wider region.
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