Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, President of Myanmar, is preparing for an official five-day visit to India starting this Saturday. This will be his first foreign visit since taking office as the civilian government leader.
India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit will take place from Saturday, 30 May to Wednesday, 3 June. Min Aung Hlaing will meet and hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as meet representatives from India's business sector. Meanwhile, the Myanmar government confirmed plans to meet with India's President, Droupadi Murmu.
The Indian government said in a statement that the visit is expected to help strengthen and elevate the comprehensive relationship between the two countries amid changing geopolitical and regional security dynamics.
Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Min Aung Hlaing will travel with his cabinet and several senior officials to discuss economic issues, investment, and bilateral cooperation.
This trip is a significant step for Min Aung Hlaing following his oath-taking as Myanmar's president last April, although many view it as merely a transfer of power from military to nominal civilian rule.
Previously, as Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing led the military coup in 2021 that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and detained the democratic leader, triggering ongoing civil war and severe conflict.
After ruling under military government for five years, Min Aung Hlaing organized elections last January, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's party was barred from participating, while many rebel-controlled areas could not hold elections.
The election results paved the way for military supporters to hold a parliamentary majority and backed Min Aung Hlaing to officially assume the presidency.
Analysts see Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India as Myanmar's effort to strengthen relations with neighboring countries and Asian powers amid Western pressure over Myanmar's human rights situation.
Min Aung Hlaing's presidential inauguration in April was attended by representatives from multiple countries including China, India, Thailand, and over 20 others, reflecting that many regional nations continue diplomatic ties with Myanmar's government despite ongoing international criticism.
:Sourcechannelnewsasia
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