President U Min Aung Hlaing visits Bodh Gaya before scheduled talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation….reports Asian Lite News
Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bihar on Friday to begin a five-day visit to India, offering prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya as part of a trip aimed at deepening bilateral ties and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
Welcoming the Myanmar President, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the strong civilisational and spiritual links shared by India and Myanmar.
“Strengthening civilisational links with our neighbour! A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya. He was received by Hon’ble Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) at the airport,” the MEA posted on X.
“The visit reflects the strong spiritual, historical and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries and the depth of our ongoing cooperation,” the ministry added.
During his stay in Bodh Gaya, the Myanmar President is also scheduled to visit the Mahabodhi Ekta Dhamma Monastery.
A key highlight of the visit will be President Hlaing’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 1, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Myanmar leader will also participate in a business forum and is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes cabinet ministers, senior government officials and business leaders.
On June 2, President Hlaing will travel to Mumbai for meetings with business and industry representatives as well as site visits.
In a statement, the MEA noted Myanmar’s strategic importance in India’s regional outreach.
“Myanmar lies at the confluence of India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR policies. The official visit of President U Min Aung Hlaing to India is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multi-faceted relations between the two countries,” the ministry said.
The visit marks President Hlaing’s first trip to India since assuming office in April.
Earlier this year, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Myanmar to attend Hlaing’s swearing-in ceremony and conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s congratulations on his election as President.
During the visit, Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation under its Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR policies while continuing developmental assistance programmes for Myanmar.
Hlaing was elected President of Myanmar on April 3 after stepping down as Commander-in-Chief, a position he held while leading the country following the military takeover in 2021.
Prime Minister Modi last met Hlaing in August 2025 on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, where both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional issues.
