Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with General Min Aung Hlaing, the military chief of Myanmar, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The meeting saw discussions on the fairness of upcoming elections in Myanmar and ensuring the participation of all stakeholders. India expressed its support for the Myanmar-led peace initiative and held talks on bilateral ties, specifically border security and development cooperation. The ongoing conflict and regional stability within Myanmar were also part of the discussions.
PM Modi held bilateral talks with Myanmar’s military chief, General Min Aung Hlaing, on Sunday. PM Modi expressed his anticipation that Myanmar’s future elections would be conducted fairly and with broad participation. The meeting occurred at the SCO summit, which was held in Tianjin, China. During the discussions with General Min Aung Hlaing, PM Modi affirmed India’s backing of the peace process initiated and managed by Myanmar.
Focus on India-Myanmar Relations
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted PM Modi’s hope for transparent, fair, and inclusive elections in Myanmar, with involvement from all involved parties. He emphasized India’s commitment to supporting Myanmar’s peace process. He stated that peaceful dialogue and consultations are essential for progress. PM Modi reiterated that India values its relations with Myanmar, guided by the ‘Neighbourhood First,’ ‘Act East,’ and Indo-Pacific policies.
The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the leaders conducted a comprehensive review of India-Myanmar bilateral relations. The discussion covered development cooperation, defense and security, border management, and cross-border trade. PM Modi emphasized that the advancement of ongoing connectivity projects would enhance ties between the citizens of both nations.
Concerns over Regional Security and Stability
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the media that extensive conversations were held regarding security and border-related issues between India and Myanmar. He noted that Myanmar is a crucial strategic neighbor for India, sharing a 1,640-kilometer border with northeastern states such as Nagaland and Manipur, which have long faced security issues. Following the coup by the Myanmar army on February 1, 2021, the nation has experienced violent protests and conflicts over the restoration of democracy.
He added that, amid the instability, resistance groups have seized control of important trade routes near the borders of India, China, and Bangladesh. This has not only impacted regional security but has also exacerbated trade and humanitarian crises. India maintains continuous contact with Myanmar to ensure border security, offer humanitarian assistance, and maintain regional stability.