As Western countries try to isolate Myanmar's military leadership internationally, India has sent a clear message that it will continue to engage and cooperate with the military-backed administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his view that "engagement is a viable option" after talks with Myanmar's military-backed President Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that India's policy is "not directed at commenting on Myanmar's internal political system." According to him, New Delhi believes that maintaining relations with Myanmar is an effective and useful way forward.

After the Myanmar military seized power in 2021 and ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Western countries including the United States imposed sanctions on the military leadership there. Since then, the military leadership has been at the center of international criticism due to its repression of the opposition, civil war and serious humanitarian crisis. However, India has adopted a policy of maintaining continuous contact with its neighboring countries rather than breaking off dialogue.

“We have always been guided by the principle that continuous dialogue is important,” Misri said. He argued that a strategy of isolating Myanmar would be counterproductive. “History has shown that disengagement has not produced better results than engagement,” he said.

Critics and human rights activists have said that Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India risks giving Myanmar’s military-backed administration international legitimacy. This is his first visit to India since being sworn in as president after a controversial election in April. Critics say the election was aimed at further consolidating the military’s grip on power. He had previously visited India in 2019 as Myanmar’s army chief.

India and Myanmar share a 1,643-km land border and a maritime border in the Bay of Bengal. For India, Myanmar is not just a neighbor but a partner directly linked to security, strategy and regional stability. Yes. India has been sheltering thousands of refugees fleeing Myanmar's Chin State and other conflict-affected areas.

The two countries have been cooperating in various areas, from border security to counter-insurgency operations. The two sides are also said to be cooperating in intelligence sharing to combat armed groups active along the border.

Modi and Min Aung Hlaing did not address the media jointly after the meeting, as is customary after bilateral meetings with most foreign heads of state or government visiting New Delhi.

According to Foreign Secretary Misri, the two leaders had extensive discussions on trade, defense and security cooperation, border management, regional issues, economic relations and technology sharing. Both sides have agreed to accelerate major projects related to trade, energy, key minerals, infrastructure and expansion of regional connectivity.

Cooperation on combating cybercrime and human trafficking was also raised as an important issue in the talks. Indians trapped in fraud centers spread across South and Southeast Asia The issue of citizens was also discussed. According to Misri, in the last 18 months, India and Myanmar have rescued more than 2,400 Indian citizens through joint efforts.