BANGKOK (AP) — The leader of Myanmar's military-backed government, Min Aung Hlaing, began an official visit to India on Saturday. This visit marks his first trip to the neighboring country since he was sworn in as president in April 2023, following an election that critics claim was manipulated to maintain military control over the government. His previous visit to India occurred in 2019 when he served as military chief.
Despite widespread Western sanctions imposed after the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, India has continued to engage with Myanmar’s military-installed administration. During the coup, the military launched a severe crackdown on dissent, leading to ongoing armed conflict and a humanitarian crisis in the country.
According to state-run MRTV television, Min Aung Hlaing set off from Naypyitaw on Saturday morning and arrived at Gaya International Airport in the eastern state of Bihar, which is in close proximity to Bodh Gaya, a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. His schedule includes high-level meetings with India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with interactions with various government officials and representatives from business sectors. The discussions are focused on enhancing bilateral relations and fostering cooperation across economic, cultural, religious, and social domains.
Min Aung Hlaing is accompanied by members of his Cabinet and plans to visit important infrastructure projects during his stay, as reported by MRTV. India shares a lengthy 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar and has maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal. The relationship is strategically vital for India's security interests, with both nations collaborating on border security and intelligence-sharing to tackle insurgent groups active in the border regions.
Critics express significant apprehension regarding Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India, arguing that it could further legitimize the military-backed government which has been accused of human rights violations. Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for the Justice For Myanmar activist organization, condemned India's decision to host Min Aung Hlaing, labeling him a "war criminal" waging a campaign of terror against the Myanmar populace. She emphasized that India has historically supported the Myanmar military through military training and economic ties.
Maung urged India to reassess its approach, saying, “India must change course, stop awarding false legitimacy to the junta, stop profiting from the military’s campaign of terror against the people, and instead support the Myanmar people who are struggling and sacrificing daily for federal democracy.” The call reflects a broader concern about the implications of international engagement with Myanmar's military regime while the country grapples with ongoing conflict and humanitarian distress.
