Min Aung Hlaing Begins 5-Day India Visit as Modi Talks Target Border and China
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · May 30
Min Aung Hlaing Begins 5-Day India Visit as Modi Talks Target Border and China
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 30
Min Aung Hlaing opened a five-day India trip by arriving in Bodh Gaya on Saturday, with talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for June 1 in New Delhi.
India's foreign ministry said the visit will focus on strengthening historical and civilisational ties, while officials highlighted spiritual and people-to-people links as the Myanmar leader visited the Mahabodhi temple.
The trip is Min Aung Hlaing's first overseas visit since taking a civilian presidential role, a notable step for Myanmar's military-backed administration after the 2021 coup triggered Western sanctions.
India, which shares a 1,643-km border and a Bay of Bengal maritime boundary with Myanmar, has kept ties with Naypyidaw as analysts say New Delhi wants stronger border security, access to rare earths and leverage against China.
Will engaging a sanctioned leader stabilize India's border or import Myanmar's chaos?
Can India secure Myanmar's rare earths when the junta doesn't control the mines?