India - Myanmar: Warm Neighborly Relationships

India was the destination of Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing's first foreign trip following the recent elections in Myanmar. The relationship between these two neighboring countries has become even warmer, a result of both practical and long-term strategic foreign policy calculations from both sides.

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing chose India as the destination for his first foreign trip.

Photo: Reuters

Myanmar has been under sanctions from several Western countries for many years, but India has maintained cooperative relations with it. The two countries share a border stretching over 1,600 km. This border region presents numerous challenges, making good neighborly relations a practical necessity for both sides.

Besides ensuring security and the benefits of enhanced economic , trade, and investment cooperation, Mr. Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India also demonstrates the foreign policy orientations and priorities of both India and Myanmar in the context of the current situation in Asia and the world. Leveraging and promoting relations with Myanmar is a concrete step in implementing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "neighborhood first" and "look east" foreign policy. India is demonstrating its strategic autonomy in this area.

India's message is that the West cannot unilaterally set the rules and dictate the geopolitical game in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. India is also sending a message to China, which is widely regarded as Myanmar's most influential external partner. For its part, Myanmar is strengthening its foreign policy position, including with China, and can reap security, economic, and trade benefits from this warming neighborly relationship.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-do-myanmar-lang-gieng-nong-tham-185260531201816465.htm