Myanmar president, ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives in India on first foreign trip

Myanmar President and former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on Saturday for his first overseas visit since assuming the presidency last month, a trip aimed at strengthening ties with New Delhi as he seeks greater international engagement.

The 69-year-old military leader has made few foreign trips since seizing power in a 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. His elevation to the presidency in April followed elections that were boycotted or excluded major opposition parties and have not been internationally recognized.

During the five-day visit, Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with India’s foreign ministry saying the trip is expected to deepen political, economic, cultural and security cooperation between the two neighbors.

The visit carries added significance as Min Aung Hlaing attempts to bolster international legitimacy while facing scrutiny over an arrest warrant request by an International Criminal Court prosecutor linked to alleged crimes against the Rohingya minority.

Former Indian envoy to Myanmar Rajiv Bhatia said Naypyitaw is likely seeking stronger diplomatic support from New Delhi amid ongoing internal instability and armed resistance to military rule. He added that both sides are expected to explore ways to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.

Myanmar remains strategically important for India, sharing a 1,600-kilometre border with the country’s northeastern states. Several border regions are controlled by ethnic armed groups opposed to the military government, creating security challenges for both countries.

According to Bhatia, India is particularly focused on ensuring stability along the frontier, where conflict has contributed to refugee flows into states such as Mizoram and Manipur and fuelled concerns over arms and narcotics smuggling.

Min Aung Hlaing began his visit with a pilgrimage to Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s holiest sites and the place where Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have attained enlightenment.

Accompanied by ministers, senior officials and business leaders, the Myanmar president is also expected to participate in a business forum in New Delhi.

Foreign affairs analyst Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury said Myanmar occupies a pivotal place in India’s regional strategy, serving as a bridge to Southeast Asia and a key component of New Delhi’s Act East, Neighborhood First and Indo-Pacific policies.

He noted that Myanmar’s strategic location and reserves of rare earth minerals make continued engagement important for India, particularly as New Delhi seeks to maintain its influence in the Bay of Bengal region and strengthen connectivity with Southeast Asia.