APRIL 4: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok , a meeting that focused on strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Myanmar. The meeting came at a time when Myanmar is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, and Prime Minister Modi took the opportunity to express his heartfelt condolences for the loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the natural disaster.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi reassured Senior General Min Aung Hlaing that India stands in full solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this critical time. The Prime Minister expressed India’s readiness to provide assistance to help Myanmar in its recovery efforts, underscoring India’s commitment to being a reliable partner in times of need. “India is doing whatever is possible to assist our sisters and brothers of Myanmar in this critical time,” said Prime Minister Modi in his social media post after the meeting.
Apart from extending support in the wake of the earthquake, the two leaders also discussed the broader landscape of India-Myanmar relations, particularly focusing on key areas of cooperation. The conversation centered around enhancing connectivity, capacity building, and infrastructure development, which are pivotal sectors for furthering the bilateral relationship between the two countries. With Myanmar’s strategic location in Southeast Asia and India’s interest in strengthening its ties with neighboring countries, these sectors present significant opportunities for collaboration.
In the meeting, both leaders highlighted the importance of infrastructure projects that will not only foster economic growth but also improve regional connectivity. Discussions also touched upon efforts to improve capacity building, particularly in sectors that could help Myanmar with post-disaster recovery and long-term development. As a part of this dialogue, the leaders also explored ways to expand trade, improve transportation links, and enhance people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi’s statement on social media reaffirmed India’s commitment to its relationship with Myanmar and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). This meeting further solidified India’s role as a partner in fostering peace, prosperity, and stability in the region.
Both countries are expected to continue working closely in the coming years to address shared challenges and capitalize on the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in areas such as trade, security, and infrastructure.