NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed concerns regarding the activities of armed groups operating near the India-Myanmar border and the repercussions of Myanmar’s internal conflict on Indian border communities during discussions with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking at a special briefing following the high-level bilateral meeting, stated that PM Modi underscored the spillover effects of the conflict in Myanmar, including cross-border security challenges and an influx of refugees into India.
“This issue was raised by the Prime Minister today in the conversation, and he emphasized this point: that these groups and their activities continue around our borders. In response, military actions by the Myanmar army against them occur very close to the borders,” Misri noted. He highlighted that the military operations and activities of armed groups have adversely impacted the residents on the Indian side of the border.
“It has a lot of impact on the people living on this side, the Indian side of the border. There can sometimes be damage, and many refugees come to our side from across that border,” he added.
PM Urges Protection of Indian Civilians
Misri stated that PM Modi called on Myanmar authorities to ensure that military operations near the border do not harm Indian civilians. “The Prime Minister mentioned that the Myanmar army and authorities need to pay attention to this, and that actions should be taken to prevent any loss, especially to the people living on the Indian side,” he reported, as per ANI.
The issue of refugees was also a significant topic of discussion. Misri acknowledged that individuals fleeing the conflict in Myanmar have entered India’s northeastern state of Mizoram. “We all know that refugees have been coming to Mizoram for some time due to this reason,” he confirmed.
He noted that while the process of returning refugees is complex, existing mechanisms between the two countries facilitate it. “There is a system to send the refugees back; there is a mechanism for it. The authorities of both countries are in contact regarding how they will be sent back,” he explained. Misri added that Myanmar’s authorities do not consider those who crossed into India as permanent refugees, asserting that they expect them to return once conditions improve.
“The Myanmar government believes that these people have not come as permanent refugees. As soon as normalcy returns on the other side of the border, these people will return,” Misri said.
Connectivity Projects and Cyber Scam Issues Discussed
The border situation was thoroughly addressed during detailed discussions between PM Modi and Min Aung Hlaing at Hyderabad House. The Myanmar president is on a four-day visit to India from May 30 to June 2. Both leaders reviewed a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, security cooperation, border management, and connectivity projects.
Misri stated that Myanmar assured India it would do “everything” possible to expedite the delayed Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, both adversely affected by ongoing conflict in Myanmar. He noted that active hostilities involving the Myanmar military, ethnic armed groups, and People’s Defence Forces have obstructed work on these projects, resulting in adjusted deadlines.
Separately, Misri revealed that India has repatriated 2,411 citizens from cyber scam compounds in Myanmar over the past one and a half years, with more than 150 Indians still believed to be trapped there. He affirmed that New Delhi continues to collaborate closely with Myanmar authorities to secure the return of those who remain stranded.
Additionally, the discussions addressed cooperation in trade, investment, development assistance, health, education, energy, artificial intelligence, and the space sector, Misri concluded.
