Myanmar president arrives in India to strengthen ties

NEW DELHI: Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in neighboring India on Saturday, in his first trip abroad since becoming civilian leader, for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The former military chief will also hold talks with business representatives during his five-day visit, according to both governments.

“A warm welcome,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, posting pictures on social media of Min Aung Hlaing walking down a red carpet in India’s eastern Bihar state.

Min Aung Hlaing will start his trip with a visit to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya — where believers say that the Buddha attained enlightenment.

“His visit reflects the strong spiritual, historical and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries and the depth of our ongoing cooperation,” Jaiswal said.

He will meet Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Monday in New Delhi, India’s foreign ministry said, before traveling to the financial hub Mumbai.

“Both leaders will discuss how to strengthen ties further,” Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.

“There is also an important business component of the visit as to how two countries can strengthen their economic ties as well.”

Bilateral trade was $1.95 billion in 2025-2026, according to New Delhi.

Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as Myanmar’s president in April, continuing his rule from a civilian post five years after snatching power in a military coup.

His swearing-in ceremony was attended by representatives from the neighboring nations of China, India and Thailand as well as 20 other countries, according to parliamentary officials.