Myanmar President Hlaing begins first India visit aimed at strengthening strategic ties

Myanmar's Junta Chief turned President Min Aung Hlaing will embark on his five day India visit from May 30 (Saturday) to June 3 (Wednesday) marking as his first foreign visit after winning the elections that excluded political parties of the opposition.

The opposition party, National Unity Government has protested against the announced visit, labelling Aung Hlaing as a "terrorist junta leader" who is mismanaging and attacking the people of Myanmar.

Deepening strategic ties

The visit is aimed at strengthening and deepening strategic ties between the two countries and enhancing the multi-faceted relations.

The former general will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the gradual return of regional re-engagement for Myanmar, five years after many of its neighbours shunned the Southeast Asian nation's military leadership following a coup.

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A chance to counter China's growing influence in Myanmar

For India, the visit offers a chance to counter China's growing influence in Myanmar, strengthen access to the country's critical rare earth reserves, and enhance security cooperation along its northeastern border regions, analysts said.

The President of Myanmar will begin his visit from Bodh Gaya where he is expected to offer prayers at the Maha Bodhi temple and meet resident Myanmar nationals and monks.

According to the Ministry the President will be accompanied by a “high-level delegation comprising several Cabinet Ministers, senior officials, and business leaders”.

Will meet PM Modi

He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 1 and participate in a Myanmar-India business forum in Delhi. He is next scheduled to visit Mumbai for meetings with business leaders and industrialists.

"After changing into civilian clothes as president, Min Aung Hlaing is looking to boost diplomatic engagement across the region," said Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser at Crisis Group.

"He expects more normal ties with Asean," Horsey added, referring to the grouping of 11 southeast Asian countries, "with support from Thailand and some other member states. He is also likely to visit Beijing soon to meet Xi Jinping. India is Myanmar's other key neighbour."

Diplomatically isolated

In a dawn takeover on February 1, 2021, Min Aung Hlaing ousted the elected civilian government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking a protest movement that transformed into a nationwide armed uprising against the military.

The coup drew widespread condemnation, including from the ASEAN bloc that barred Myanmar's generals from its summits, and the new military-led administration found itself increasingly isolated.

A devastating earthquake last year provided a diplomatic opening for Min Aung Hlaing, who made a rare visit to a regional summit in Bangkok, which he is seeking to build on following a widely criticised election that paved the way for his presidency.

The visit comes as Myanmar's military has launched renewed offensives in a frontier area where the rare-earth deposits are found as well as other ​vital trade routes into India and Thailand.