Asia In News
Myanmar Leader U Min Aung Hlaing Travels to Bodh Gaya, Reinforcing Centuries-Old Ties with India

Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on Saturday as part of his official visit to India. Welcoming the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the longstanding civilisational, cultural, and spiritual connections shared by the two neighbouring countries. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared details of the President's arrival on social media platform X, noting that Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) received the visiting leader at the airport. The warm reception underscored the significance of the visit and the close relationship between India and Myanmar.
According to the MEA, the visit reflects the deep-rooted historical ties, religious connections, and strong people-to-people exchanges that continue to strengthen bilateral relations. The ministry also emphasized the growing cooperation between the two nations across various sectors. Soon after reaching Bodh Gaya, President Min Aung Hlaing paid a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple, one of Buddhism's most revered sites and a UNESCO World Heritage monument. The temple holds immense spiritual importance for Buddhist communities worldwide and serves as a symbol of the shared heritage linking India and Myanmar.
The Myanmar President's visit, scheduled from May 30 to June 2, is being undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first trip to India since assuming office as President. He is accompanied by a delegation comprising senior ministers, top government officials, and leading representatives from the business community.
Ahead of the visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that discussions between the two sides would cover a broad range of issues, including border management, connectivity projects, economic cooperation, and other key areas of mutual interest. He noted that both countries are committed to further strengthening their longstanding friendship and civilisational links. Economic engagement is also expected to feature prominently during the visit. A dedicated business component has been incorporated into the itinerary to promote trade, investment, and commercial partnerships between India and Myanmar.
On June 1, President Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, where the leaders will review the overall state of relations and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation. He will also participate in a business forum aimed at enhancing economic collaboration. The visit will conclude on June 2 in Mumbai, where the Myanmar President and his delegation are expected to attend industry meetings, interact with business leaders, and visit key commercial and industrial establishments.



