Myanmar President Visits India for First Trip Abroad Since Taking Office

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on 30 May for a five-day visit that included meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders. The two leaders discussed trade, connectivity, border security and defence along the 1,643 km shared frontier.

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that Delhi supports an inclusive peace process involving all stakeholders.

Myanmar held elections between December 2025 and January 2026 in which many opposition parties were barred and large conflict zones could not participate. The military-backed side won an overwhelming majority, and Min Aung Hlaing was elected president by the new parliament in April.

Opposition groups, Western governments and international observers criticised the vote, while Myanmar authorities described it as free and fair.

A joint statement published by Myanmar's state-run newspaper said both countries agreed to prevent the misuse of Myanmar territory for activities against each other's security interests. Min Aung Hlaing reiterated that Myanmar would not allow its land to be used against India.

Thousands of people, many from Myanmar's Chin ethnic minority, have taken refuge in India's north-eastern states of Mizoram and Manipur since the 2021 military takeover.

The visit is Min Aung Hlaing's first trip abroad since becoming president. Modi last visited Myanmar officially in 2017. Upon arrival, Min Aung Hlaing visited Bodh Gaya and offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple before travelling to Delhi and later Mumbai to explore investment opportunities.