India Engages with Myanmar Amid Ongoing Challenges
NEW DELHI — India is continuing its dialogue with Myanmar’s military-backed government despite international sanctions imposed after the country’s military takeover in 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, on Monday to discuss various matters.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that India’s approach is not meant to comment on Myanmar’s internal politics. He emphasized that maintaining engagement is vital for progress. “We believe that keeping the conversation going is important,” Misri stated. “Isolating Myanmar could lead to more problems.”
Western countries have pushed for a distancing from Myanmar’s military rulers, who took control following a coup that led to widespread protests and a humanitarian crisis. Some critics argue that Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India could be seen as legitimizing the military’s grip on power.
Misri said history shows that disengagement often does not yield better outcomes than continued dialogue. This visit marks Min Aung Hlaing’s first to India since he became president in April following a controversial election. His previous visit was in 2019 when he was still in charge of the military.
India shares a long border with Myanmar, approximately 1,643 kilometers (1,020 miles), and has a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. The country also hosts many refugees fleeing conflicts in Myanmar.
Myanmar holds strategic importance for India’s security. Both nations have cooperated on border security and intelligence sharing to address insurgent activities in the area.
While Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not hold a press conference after their talks—unlike other bilateral meetings—Misri shared that their discussions included trade, defense cooperation, border management, and regional concerns. They also focused on enhancing economic and technological ties, with agreements to work on trade, energy, and connectivity projects.
The discussions also touched on issues of cybercrime and human trafficking, areas that have impacted many Indians. Misri noted that India and Myanmar have successfully rescued over 2,400 Indian citizens in the past 18 months.
During his visit, Min Aung Hlaing also met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
