Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing Visits India Amid Ongoing Civil War

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, formerly in charge of Myanmar’s military council, has embarked on his first trip abroad as president. He is currently visiting India, marking his first international travel since becoming Myanmar’s president in April. India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced the visit will span from Saturday to Wednesday. During this time, he is expected to engage in discussions with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, as well as Indian business figures.

The elections that brought Min Aung Hlaing to power in April were dismissed by Western countries and human rights organizations as fraudulent. In 2021, in his role as leader of Myanmar’s armed forces, he ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. This event triggered a civil war that has persisted for five years, with no resolution in sight. Despite ongoing conflict, the military proceeded with the election, wherein millions were disenfranchised and Suu Kyi’s party was excluded.

New Delhi expressed that the visit aims to strengthen the bilateral relations between both nations. While analysts anticipated his first trip would be to China, a key ally of Myanmar’s military, current global dynamics led to prioritizing the Indian visit. China recently hosted high-profile leaders such as President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Min Zaw Oo, a Myanmar analyst, highlighted that preparations for a potential China trip might still be underway. Morgan Michaels from the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that India maintained relations with Myanmar since the coup, indicating continuity. India’s foreign minister attended Min Aung Hlaing’s swearing-in ceremony, underscoring New Delhi’s interest in progressing with the new regime.

During the Indian visit, key topics will include security concerns along their shared 1,000-kilometer border, where Myanmar faces military opposition and India deals with northeastern insurgents. Other topics likely include drug and arms trafficking and human trafficking. India also seeks access to Myanmar’s rare earth deposits, an area dominated by China.

Concurrent with these diplomatic activities, Myanmar’s military, strengthened by new strategies and improved drone technology sourced from Russia and China, is regaining battlefield momentum against opposition forces. Morgan Michaels reports the military’s significant advances into opposition territories, marking a shift in conflict dynamics.

Foreign relations remain a focus for Myanmar’s military-backed government as it looks to normalize ties with ASEAN and reclaim its United Nations seat. However, ASEAN recently showed a willingness for dialogue with Myanmar’s new foreign minister, Tin Maung Swe, a move met with criticism and concern from rights groups that fear it may legitimize the regime amid ongoing violence that has claimed thousands of lives.