On June 1, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar's military government, in the capital New Delhi. This marked Min Aung Hlaing's first visit to India since assuming the presidency in April.
Speaking to the press on June 2, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi's policy toward Myanmar is "not intended to comment on internal political arrangements" and that "isolating Myanmar will not yield better results than dialogue."
The meeting took place as Western nations seek to isolate Myanmar's military government since the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Opposition groups and human rights organizations criticized the visit, warning it risks legitimizing the junta.
Before the talks, Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on May 31 and visited the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya in Bihar state. India shares a 1,643-kilometer land border with Myanmar and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
According to Foreign Secretary Misri, the two leaders discussed trade, defense, security, border management, and regional issues. They agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, energy, critical minerals, and major connectivity projects.
Bilateral trade reached $1.95 billion in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, according to Indian data. They also discussed joint efforts against cybercrime and human trafficking, issues that have affected thousands of Indians lured into scam centers in the region. Misri said India and Myanmar have cooperated to rescue more than 2,400 Indian citizens over the past 18 months.
Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to meet business representatives and visit the financial hub of Mumbai during his five-day visit.
In a related development, Zin Mar Aung, Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG) — a shadow government formed by ousted Myanmar lawmakers — sent a letter to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on May 28 expressing concern over the visit. She wrote: "Since the military coup of 2021, Myanmar has endured prolonged conflict, instability, and immense humanitarian suffering. We urge the Government of India to carefully consider the broader implications of formal engagement that could normalize or legitimize the military regime in Myanmar."
