NEW DELHI: Myanmar’s ruling military leadership rejected the request of foreign secretary Harsh Shringla, who is on his first official visit to that country since the February coup, for a meeting with jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The top Indian diplomat, however, met the leadership of the opposition National League for Democracy, the MEA spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.
Sources said the Myanmar military leadership assured India that anti-India insurgent groups would not be supported by them. This came in the context of discussions on insurgent attacks like last month’s ambush in Manipur Churachandpur district in which seven people — CO of 46 Assam Rifles Col Viplav Tripathi, his wife, their six-year-old son and four soldiers — were killed.
“The foreign secretary stressed the need to put an end to any violence and maintain peace and stability in the border areas. Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other,” the statement said.

The MEA spokesperson said Shringla “emphasised India’s interest in seeing Myanmar’s return to democracy at the earliest; release of detainees and prisoners; resolution of issues through dialogue; and complete cessation of all violence”.
Shringla pushed for a return to democracy in Myanmar. “India has been involved in the democratic transition process in Myanmar and, in this context, has worked with various stakeholders in developing capacities on democratic systems and practices. India proposes to renew these efforts for Myanmar to emerge as a stable, democratic, federal union in accordance with the wishes of the people of Myanmar.”
The foreign secretary reaffirmed India’s support to the Asean initiative on Myanmar. Sources said China has been working with its friendly countries in the regional grouping to take a more accommodative stance on Myanmar. Shringla also conveyed India’s continued humanitarian and medical support and handed over Covid vaccines and announced a grant of rice and wheat.
India has important connectivity projects in Myanmar which were emphasised, the MEA spokesperson said, citing commitment to expeditious implementation of initiatives such as Kaladan multimodal transit transport project and the trilateral highway.
“The foreign secretary also reiterated India’s commitment to continue with projects under Rakhine State Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme,” he said.
“India shares a 1,700-km-long border with Myanmar. Any development in that country has a direct impact on bordering regions. Peace and stability in Myanmar remain of utmost importance to India, specifically to its north-eastern region,” the MEA statement said.