President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing has landed arrived in India this morning with a five-day official visit, when the former top military commander of the southeast Asian nation is expected to meet high profile dignitaries including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with others. Elected as the President of formerly known Burma following a debatable polling exercise in the national parliament located at Naypyitaw, it’s Hlaing’s first overseas trip with that capacity. When the poverty stricken country of 55 million Buddhist majority people has been facing a civil war with the government currently ruling only one-third of its territory, Hlaing’s visit becomes a necessity for him, but seemingly an opportunity for India to enhance bilateral ties with the eastern neighbour.
Myanmar government-run daily newspaper ‘Global New Light Of Myanmar’ reported on Friday that President Hlaing would pay an official visit to the Republic of India ‘at the invitation’ of PM Modi and meet with the Indian President and hold bilateral talks with the premier. Accompanied by ministers, high level government officials and business representatives, President Hlaing would ‘engage in a cordial and open exchange of views to foster multifaceted cooperation across the economic, religious, cultural, and social sectors, thereby strengthening ties between the governments and peoples of the two countries’. His itinerary includes visits to prominent infrastructure facilities based in Gaya, Delhi and Mumbai too.
A military junta chief turned a civilian Head of the State, Hlaing landed in Gaya in Bihar on 30 May 2026 and offered prayers at Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. He also interacted with the resident monks of the Buddhist pilgrimage city. Before leaving for New Delhi, Hlaing also visited Sujata temple in Bakraur and a Burmese monastery. In the capital city, he is scheduled to meet the external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and other important dignitaries in the next two days, besides attending an Indo-Myanmar business meet on 31 May. Hlaing has a two-day program in Mumbai, where he may meet Maharashtra Governor on Tuesday and a group of business-industry representatives before departing on 3 June.
“Myanmar lies at the confluence of India’s Neighborhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR policies. The official visit of President U Min Aung Hlaing to India is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multi-faceted relations between the two countries,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson, adding that all issues regarding border security, connectivity, and other matters that form part of the gamut of relations between Myanmar and India would come up for discussions. “Our idea is to take our friendly, civilisational ties forward,” he stated.
India has many folds interests in Myanmar as the country shares over 1,600 kilometre border with the strategic north-eastern States. There are still some separatist armed militants taking shelter in the jungles of northern Myanmar and New Delhi wants to deal with them with a strong hand so that the region maintains peace and tranquility, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Moreover, New Delhi expects to reduce the Chinese influence in Myanmar for broader regional security and trade expansions including the commissioning of multi-modal Kaladan riverine project as early as possible.
Myanmar President’s visit to India
