Visit follows Bodh Gaya prayers at Mahabodhi temple; high-level talks set on cooperation, Buddhist heritage, trade
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New Delhi, May 31, 2026_
President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar arrived in New Delhi on Saturday from Bodh Gaya as part of his four-day official visit to India from May 30 to June 2. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks his first trip to India in his current capacity as President and signals continued engagement between the two neighbouring countries.
He was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. The Ministry of External Affairs said the ceremonial reception reflects the importance New Delhi attaches to its ties with Myanmar, with both sides looking to use the visit to review existing cooperation and explore new areas of partnership.
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said the visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two neighbours. He added that discussions during the visit are expected to build on shared interests in regional connectivity, border security, and economic cooperation, while also covering trade, investment, and cultural exchanges to enhance people-to-people ties.
Earlier in the day, President Hlaing began his India tour with a visit to Bodh Gaya, where he offered prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi temple. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most revered pilgrimage centers in Buddhism and holds deep significance for both nations. The President spent time at the shrine before departing for New Delhi.
He was received at the Bodh Gaya airport by Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.). Jaiswal said the visit to the temple underlined the deep spiritual and civilizational links shared by India and Myanmar. He noted that the engagement reflects strong spiritual, historical, and people-to-people ties rooted in a shared Buddhist heritage that continues to connect both nations across generations.
The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and prominent business leaders from Myanmar. The composition of the delegation indicates that the talks will cover not only diplomatic and strategic issues but also commercial cooperation, with industry representatives expected to engage with Indian counterparts.
Bilateral discussions during the Delhi leg of the visit are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, connectivity projects, border management, and regional security. Cultural cooperation and initiatives to promote Buddhist linkages are also on the agenda, building on the historical ties highlighted by the Presidentβs visit to Bodh Gaya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended the invitation for the visit as part of Indiaβs ongoing outreach to its eastern neighbours. The MEA said the visit reinforces the importance of Myanmar in Indiaβs Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, with both countries seeking stability and development along their shared border.
All remaining official engagements, including delegation-level talks and meetings with Indian leadership, will take place in New Delhi following the Bodh Gaya leg. The visit is expected to conclude on June 2, with outcomes aimed at expanding cooperation and reinforcing the strong spiritual, historical, and diplomatic ties that bind the two countries.
