Published May 30, 2026last updated May 30, 2026
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing begins India visit
Myanmar’s junta chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing, is on a five-day visit to India — his first overseas trip since he assumed a civilian role.
During his visit, the former general is going to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and focus on strengthening ties between the neighboring countries.
“President U Min Aung Hlaing will hold discussions with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 1 June 2026 on further strengthening the historical and civilisational ties between the two countries,” India’s External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said.
Min Aung Hlaing kicked off his trip to India by landing in the city of Gaya, in the eastern state of Bihar, to visit the Mahabodhi temple, a Buddhist pilgrimage site. He is expected to arrive in Delhi in the evening.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Min Aung Hlaing in a post on X.
“A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya,” Jaiswal said.
“The visit reflects the strong spiritual, historical and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries and the depth of our ongoing cooperation,” he added.
India shares a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
New Delhi has maintained ties with Myanmar’s military-backed administration despite Western sanctions imposed after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Myanmar has been mired in a nationwide armed conflict and humanitarian crisis since the coup.
The visit by Myanmar president marks an opportunity for India to weaken China’s influence on the country and open access to its critical rare earths, and bolster security along the border, analysts told Reuters news agency.