India-Myanmar Joint Statement during the Official Visit of the President of Myanmar to India

📌 Summary:

• President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar paid his first Official Visit to India (30 May–3 June 2026) at PM Modi's invitation; offered prayers at Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple highlighting Buddhist ties
• PM Modi positioned Myanmar at the confluence of three Indian doctrines — Neighbourhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR (Mutual & Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)
• Both sides agreed to fast-track the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
• Mekong-Ganga ICCR scholarships for Myanmar students raised from 36 to 100 from 2026 onwards
• Bilateral trade boost via the Rupee-Kyat settlement mechanism (operational since May 2024); cooperation in agro-processing, petroleum, energy, mining sectors
• India reaffirmed support for Myanmar's sovereignty & territorial integrity; Myanmar reiterated assurance that its territory will not be used against India's security interests
• President addressed India-Myanmar Business Conclave (UMFCCI-CII) on 31 May; toured NTPC NETRA Greater Noida for clean-energy R&D

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 IR — India's Neighbourhood policy & Act East; cross-border connectivity projects; border security cooperation; trade in local currencies

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Kaladan Multi-Modal Project connects Kolkata–Sittwe (Myanmar)–Mizoram
• India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway = ~1,400 km link (Moreh–Mae Sot)
• MAHASAGAR = Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (PM Modi's 2025 doctrine, successor to SAGAR)
• Mekong-Ganga Cooperation = 6 countries (India + Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), launched 2000
• Rupee-Kyat trade settlement operationalised May 2024
• Bodh Gaya Mahabodhi Temple = UNESCO World Heritage Site (Bihar)

🔑 Key Term: MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions; PM Modi's expanded maritime/regional doctrine succeeding SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).