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    OPINION                                                                  JUNE 26, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 10

            President Hlaing’s Visit to India

                    and Strategic Diversification

                                       Policy of Myanmar

             President Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India is significant given that Myanmar’s civil war since

                                      2021 has affected India’s border security and management

            OM PRAKASH DAS                     Myanmar occupies a strategic position between South Asia and Southeast Asia, and the development of economic infrastructure gives Beijing
                                                                                 significant strategic leverage (IDSA photo)
                  he President of Myanmar,
                  Min Aung Hlaing, who as-    nectivity projects, and broader secu-  during peace and an inclusive politi-  border security. In other words, Chi-
            Tsumed  office  in  April  2026,   rity  cooperation”.  During  engage-  cal process involving all stakeholders   nese investment in Myanmar offers
            concluded his first foreign visit to In-  ments  with stakeholders in India’s   in Myanmar, arguing that sustained   an important lens for understanding
            dia in early June 2026. Hlaing’s visit   energy sector, the Myanmar Presi-  dialogue rather than disengagement   the long-term strategic competition
            to India began with prayers at the   dent explored cutting-edge net-zero   offers the best prospect for progress.   between China and India.
            Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, Bihar,   technologies, including green hydro-  Furthermore, President Hlaing, the   China has been one of the few
            on 30 May. He later travelled to New   gen, solar power and carbon capture.   former head of Myanmar’s military   countries to endorse both the re-
            Delhi  for  official  talks  with  Prime   President Hlaing also met President   junta, assured India that Myanmar’s   cent electoral process and Min Aung
            Minister Narendra Modi before pro-  Smt. Droupadi Murmu, during     territory would not be permitted to be   Hlaing’s presidency. This has led
            ceeding to Mumbai, where he met   which the two leaders engaged in   used against India’s security interests.  many observers to draw three con-
            business leaders to explore invest-  productive discussions to strengthen   Myanmar occupies a strategic   clusions. First, the current politi-
            ment opportunities and strengthen   bilateral ties.                 position between South Asia and   cal-military order is likely to remain
            bilateral trade relations.            Min Aung Hlaing’s visit is signif-  Southeast Asia, and the develop-  the dominant force in Myanmar’s
                Discussions with Prime Minister   icant in several respects, particularly   ment of economic infrastructure   political landscape for the foresee-
            Modi focused on trade, connectivity,   because of the ongoing civil war in   gives  Beijing  significant  strategic   able future. Second, the existing sit-
            defence, healthcare, education and   Myanmar since 2021, which has had   leverage. This should be examined in   uation on the ground suggests that
            cooperation in advanced technol-  important implications for India’s   relation to India’s strategic interests,   no opposition group is presently ca-
            ogies  such  as  artificial  intelligence   border security. Myanmar and India   as China’s presence is increasing-  pable of replacing the current order.
            and space exploration. They also re-  share a 1,643 km border. The Min-  ly intertwined with India’s strategic   Third, engagement with the existing
            volved  around  “refugee  flows  from   istry of External Affairs stated that   objectives, including the Act East   political structure is viewed as neces-
            Myanmar to India, cybercrime, con-  New Delhi continued to support en-  Policy, Northeast connectivity and   Continued on next page... >>

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