Indian PM Modi meets Myanmar military gov’t leader in New Delhi | Narendra Modi News
India Engages with Myanmar Amid Ongoing Conflict
Published June 1, 2026
India reaffirmed its commitment to engage with Myanmar following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s military government, in New Delhi.
During a press briefing on Monday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that India’s approach “is not intended to comment on the internal political arrangements” in Myanmar. He maintained that continued engagement is essential for both nations.
Western nations have largely sought to isolate Myanmar’s military rulers since a coup in 2021 that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering significant violence against dissenters and sparking a civil war.
Min Aung Hlaing’s visit marks his first trip to India since assuming the presidency in April, a position many critics argue is a product of a predetermined election designed to consolidate military power. His previous visit was in 2019, when he held the position of military chief.
Arriving in India on Saturday, Min Aung Hlaing’s itinerary included a stop in Bihar, where he visited the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya, revered as the location of Buddha’s enlightenment.
India shares a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
Myanmar’s strategic significance to India goes beyond geography; the two nations have collaborated on border security and intelligence to address armed rebel groups. While Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not make statements to the press after their meeting, Misri revealed that discussions included trade, defense cooperation, border management, and regional issues, with a focus on enhancing economic and technological ties.
The two sides have agreed to deepen collaboration across various sectors, including trade, energy, and connectivity projects. Bilateral trade reached $1.95 billion in 2025-2026, according to New Delhi.
Min Aung Hlaing is also expected to engage with business leaders during his five-day visit, which will include a stop in Mumbai.
Misri noted that discussions included joint efforts to combat cybercrime and human trafficking, issues that have significantly affected many Indians. He stated that India and Myanmar have collaborated to repatriate over 2,400 Indian nationals from Myanmar in the past 18 months.
Meanwhile, resistance groups formed after the 2021 coup have gained control over various regions in Myanmar, deepening the ongoing conflict. These groups, known as the People’s Defence Force (PDF), operate with the support of the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government established by lawmakers displaced by the military coup.
Zin Mar Aung, the NUG’s foreign minister, expressed concerns regarding Min Aung Hlaing’s visit in a letter to Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister, on May 28. She highlighted the “prolonged conflict, instability, and immense humanitarian suffering” in Myanmar since the coup and urged India to consider the potential repercussions of formal engagement that might normalise military rule in Myanmar.
