The leader of Myanmar’s military-backed government met yesterday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, during which both leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation in a host of domains.
Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on Saturday for a five-day state visit, his first to the country since leading the military coup of 2021, with a large delegation in tow. Min Aung Hlaing last visited India in 2019, in his capacity as the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar armed forces.
Unusually, Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not address the media after their summit. But a joint statement issued after the meeting said that the two leaders “underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation.”
Their discussion ranged over trade, defense, and security cooperation, border management, and “bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement added. Modi and Min Aung Hlaing also agreed t0 expand collaboration in technology, energy, and critical minerals, and to accelerate major connectivity projects.
In particular, Min Aung Hlaing also assured Modi that he would not allow the use of his country’s territory by groups that pose a security threat to India.
