Indian PM Narendra Modi met Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi, reaffirming India's engagement policy with Myanmar. This comes amid ongoing criticism from Western nations regarding Myanmar's military government following the 2021 coup.
Key points
Modi met Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi
India continues its engagement policy with Myanmar
Western nations seek to isolate Myanmar's military rulers
The 2021 coup led to a brutal civil war in Myanmar
Critics warn of legitimizing the military-backed government
Mentioned in this story
Narendra ModiMin Aung HlaingAung San Suu Kyi
India says it will continue engaging with Myanmar after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the country’s military government, in New Delhi.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters on Monday that India’s policy is “not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangements” in Myanmar and that New Delhi believes engagement is the best way forward.
Western nations have sought to isolate Myanmar’s military rulers since they overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup that triggered a crackdown on opponents and a brutal civil war.
The conflict began when the country’s army leader, Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the government and detained civilian leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Some critics and human rights groups have said Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India risks lending legitimacy to the military-backed government.
“We have always proceeded on the principle that sustained dialogue is what is important,” Misri said, adding that isolating Myanmar would be counterproductive.
“History has shown that disengagement doesn’t give us any results that are better than engagement.”
The visit is Min Aung Hlaing’s first to India since he was sworn in as president in April following an election that critics say was designed to cement his hold on power. His last visit to India was in 2019, when he served as Myanmar’s military chief.
He arrived in India on Saturday, first in the eastern state of Bihar, with a visit to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya, where believers say that the Buddha attained enlightenment.
India shares a 1,643-kilometre (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
epa13008316 Indian Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (R) with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (L) prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, 01 June 2026. Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is on a five-day state visit to India. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
Q&A
What was discussed during Modi's meeting with Min Aung Hlaing?
The meeting focused on India's continued engagement with Myanmar, although specific details of the discussions were not disclosed.
Why are Western nations isolating Myanmar's military government?
Western nations are isolating Myanmar's military government due to its overthrow of the elected government and subsequent human rights abuses following the 2021 coup.
What are the implications of Modi's meeting with Myanmar's military leader?
Critics argue that the meeting may lend legitimacy to Myanmar's military government, which has faced international condemnation for its actions.
Who is Min Aung Hlaing and what is his role in Myanmar?
Min Aung Hlaing is the leader of Myanmar's military government, having come to power after ousting the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.
Man, 21, charged with attempted murder after Surrey University staff member shot with crossbow
A 21-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a staff member was shot with a crossbow at the University of Surrey. The suspect, Almunthir Daqamah, is a former student and is due in court on Friday.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
Narendra Modi (right) with Min Aung Hlaing (left) prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi [Rajat Gupta/EPA]
Strategic partnership
Myanmar is also strategically important to India’s security interests. The two countries have cooperated on border security and intelligence sharing to combat armed rebel groups.
Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not address the media after their meeting, as usually occurs after most bilateral talks involving visiting heads of state or government in New Delhi.
But Misri said the two leaders discussed trade, defence and security cooperation, border management, and regional issues, with talks also focusing on expanding economic and technology ties. He said both sides agreed to deepen collaboration across sectors, including trade, energy and critical minerals, and to accelerate major connectivity projects.
Min Aung Hlaing is expected to hold talks with business representatives during his five-day visit, and will travel to the financial hub, Mumbai.
Bilateral trade was $1.95bn in 2025-2026, according to New Delhi.
The leaders also discussed cooperation against cybercrime and human trafficking, issues that have affected thousands of Indians lured to scam centres in the region.
Misri said India and Myanmar have worked together to rescue more than 2,400 Indian nationals over the past 18 months.
Resistance groups formed after the 2021 coup have captured swaths of Myanmar. Others sought out and fought under the leadership of ethnic armies in exchange for training and weapons with which to fight the military.
These resistance groups, known as the People’s Defence Force (PDF), nominally operate under the leadership of the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government formed by Myanmar lawmakers removed by the military coup.
Zin Mar Aung, the foreign minister of the NUG, wrote a letter to Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs for India, on May 28, expressing concern about the visit.
“Since the military coup of 2021, which overturned the democratic will of the people, Myanmar has endured prolonged conflict, instability, and immense humanitarian suffering,” she said.
“India has long championed democratic governance, the rule of law, and regional stability. We therefore urge the Government of India to weigh carefully the broader implications of formal engagement that may normalise or legitimise military rule in Myanmar.”
