New Delhi - Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi's Hyderabad House on Monday, 1 June 2026 in his first official foreign trip since assuming the presidency, with the two leaders agreeing to expand cooperation on border security, trade, cybercrime, and connectivity amid ongoing Western pressure to isolate Myanmar's military-backed government.
The talks covered trade, defense and security cooperation, border management, and regional issues, with both sides also agreeing to broaden economic and technology ties and accelerate major connectivity projects, according to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The two countries reiterated their resolve to ensure that their territories are not used for activities harmful to each other's security interests, covering border management, counter-insurgency efforts, transnational crime, illegal trafficking, and cyber-related threats.
"Stability and peace in Myanmar is obviously a major interest for India," Misri said, citing the security of India's northeastern states along the shared 1,643-kilometre border with Myanmar.
Misri defended India's decision to engage despite Western criticism, saying that India enggagement with Myanmar was not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangements in its neighboring country.
"We have always proceeded on the principle that sustained dialogue is what is important and what is an imperative for India as a neighbour," Misri said, adding that disengagement would only create a vacuum that others — with no interest in democracy — would fill.
India also raised the issue on cybercrime, with Misri disclosing that New Delhi had repatriated more than 2,400 Indian nationals from cyber scam centers, located in Myanmar over the past year, with around 150 still unaccounted for.
Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $2 billion in 2025–2026, according to New Delhi. Both sides expressed interest in boosting economic linkages in energy, infrastructure, and border commerce.
Indian Foreign Secretary Misri said New Delhi emphasized its support for a durable and inclusive political process in Myanmar. The detention of former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi also featured in the talks.
PM Modi separately reaffirmed India's readiness to support peace and dialogue in Myanmar, according to an official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
(Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose in front of Prime Minister Office Seva Teerth in New Delhi on Monday, 1 June 2026 (Photo/X/PM Modi))
Analysts viewed the visit as a significant diplomatic signal. Jaideep Mazumdar, a former Secretary (East) in India's Ministry of External Affairs, called the visit "a bold diplomatic step" that would capture international attention.
"It will, in my view, make it easier for others to resume relations with the Myanmar government," he said.
The visit drew mixed reactions, particularly from Myanmar refugee communities living in India. Western governments, which imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military rulers following the 2021 coup, have sought to isolate the junta rather than grant it diplomatic legitimacy.
Myanmar occupies a strategic position at the intersection of India's Neighbourhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR policies, making it central to New Delhi's broader regional ambitions. Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to travel to Mumbai, where he will engage with business representatives to explore expanded trade and investment opportunities, before concluding his five-day visit. During the bilateral meeting, President Hlaing extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Myanmar.****
