Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Myanmar’s President U Min Aung Hlaing on Monday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The meeting was part of the latter’s ongoing state visit to India from 30 May to 2 June, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

This marks Min Aung Hlaing’s first official visit to India in his current capacity as President, and he is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet ministers, senior officials, and prominent business leaders.

The bilateral engagement at Hyderabad House was preceded by a series of important interactions. On Sunday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on President Hlaing, underscoring the strategic and security dimensions of the relationship.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the meeting in a post on X, highlighting the significance of the dialogue. Prior to this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the Myanmar President on Saturday, appreciating his constructive approach towards strengthening bilateral ties.

EAM Jaishankar noted his positive sentiment towards deepening cooperation and expressed optimism about the President’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi, framing it as an opportunity to advance the partnership for peace, progress, and prosperity.

President Hlaing’s itinerary in India began with a visit to Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he was warmly received by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and the Governor of Bihar, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.).

His arrival in the Buddhist heartland was symbolic, reflecting the civilizational and spiritual ties between India and Myanmar. Soon after landing, he visited the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key Buddhist pilgrimage destination. This gesture reinforced the cultural and religious bonds that underpin the bilateral relationship.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier outlined the wide-ranging scope of discussions expected during the visit. These include border security, connectivity, trade, and other matters that form the gamut of relations between the two countries.

The emphasis is on taking forward the civilizational ties while embedding a strong business component into the engagements.

The President’s delegation includes business leaders, signalling a clear intent to deepen economic cooperation alongside diplomatic and cultural exchanges.

The visit is structured to balance spiritual, diplomatic, and commercial engagements. After completing his religious and cultural program in Bodh Gaya, President Hlaing arrived in New Delhi for high-level meetings with Indian leadership.

His engagements culminate in Mumbai on 2 June, where he is scheduled to participate in industry interactions, business meetings, and site visits, further entrenching economic linkages between the two nations.

This sequence of meetings and visits underscores the multifaceted nature of India–Myanmar relations. The interactions with the Prime Minister, the National Security Advisor, and the External Affairs Minister highlight the strategic, political, and economic dimensions of the partnership.

The cultural and spiritual aspects, exemplified by the Bodh Gaya visit, add depth to the relationship, making it not only a matter of statecraft but also of shared heritage and people-to-people ties.

ANI