India promises to support Myanmar towards switch to democratic future

NEW DELHI: In a meeting with Myanmar junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing , PM Narendra Modi underlined the importance of early restoration of the democratic process in Myanmar, including through credible and inclusive elections.

He said India would support all efforts, as it has in the past, to foster trust and advance a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led transition towards a peaceful, stable, and democratic future.

Amid the civil war in the country, the junta chief was on a rare visit abroad to participate in the Bimstec summit. Modi offered condolences at the loss of life and the damage caused by the recent earthquake in Myanmar and the leaders discussed India's ongoing efforts under Operation Brahma to provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and medical assistance to Myanmar.

Unlike the West, India has continued to engage with the military in Myanmar because of the need for cooperation with the Asean country to check the activities of insurgent groups active in the border areas.

Modi also appreciated the support that Myanmar has extended for the rescue and repatriation, including very recently, of Indian nationals from cyber-scam centers operating on the borders between Myanmar and Thailand.

"And both leaders also agreed on the importance of cooperating on matters such as activities of insurgent groups along the borders, transnational crimes, and human trafficking also along the India-Myanmar border," said foreign secretary Vikram Misri.