Min Aung Hlaing urges resistance forces along India border to join peace process

By Admin 04 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 June 2026, Nay Pyi Taw

Myanmar’s former military chief and self-appointed President Min Aung Hlaing has called on resistance forces operating along the Myanmar-India border to cooperate in efforts to achieve peace across the country.

He made the remarks at the airport upon returning from an official visit to India on June 3.

“If relevant stakeholders along the Indian border want the good of the country, they need to cooperate through peaceful means and strive together. They need to review their positions and work toward the betterment of the nation,” he said.

Min Aung Hlaing added that if resistance groups in other parts of the country also reconsider their positions and pursue democratic political solutions, Myanmar could make rapid progress in the near future.

He said the regime is strengthening security along the Indian border and claimed that improved security would reduce armed conflict and drug trafficking in the area.

“We are working to enhance the security situation in this territory before the monsoon season. Once security improves, I believe that issues involving ethnic armed organizations and drug-related challenges will significantly decrease. I believe we can bring this to a definitive resolution soon,” Min Aung Hlaing said in an interview with an Indian media outlet.

Last month, the regime recaptured Falam and Tonzang towns in northern Chin State near the Indian border and is currently conducting military offensives in Kanpetlet Township in southern Chin State and Mindon Township in Magway Region.

Military and political observers say clashes in Chin State along the Indian border are likely to remain intense.

“Just as the regime pressured resistance forces in northern Shan State along the Chinese border with China's assistance to regain lost territories, it is possible they are now approaching India with a similar strategy. On the other hand, the regime is conducting heavy offensives in Mindon and Kanpetlet. Therefore, it appears that battles in areas adjacent to India could become even more intense,” an Arakanese observer of military and political affairs said.

Regarding India-Myanmar trade, Min Aung Hlaing said efforts had been made to implement projects aimed at facilitating cross-border travel, but that those initiatives had been suspended due to security concerns.

He added that the regime is seeking to reopen transport routes linking Kalay and Tamu, two key towns for India-Myanmar connectivity, and establish them as border trade gateways.

“We have suspended this project because we face difficulties in some areas due to our security situation. I am working to further improve security. Due to the political situation that emerged in 2021, those areas became unstable. We are now clearing those areas. In the near future, we are trying our best to reopen the route connecting Kalay and Tamu, which are key towns close to the border. Once that is completed, we will be able to open the border gate,” he said.

Observers analyzing Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India say that while major immediate changes are unlikely in border regions such as Kachin, Chin and Arakan states and Sagaing region, the trip could affect bilateral relations, border security, trade and resistance groups operating in those areas.

Captain Zin Yaw, a participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement, said: “During Min Aung Hlaing's trip to India, the main areas of interest for India were border security, defense cooperation, trade, connectivity projects, and the security of Northeast India.”

“The reason Arakan State is included among the adjacent territories is because the Arakan Army controls the Paletwa region, and the regime has designated the Kachin Independence Army and the Arakan Army as its primary enemies. The regime calculates that if it can effectively contain these two groups, Sagaing Region and Chin State will see their lifelines severed,” he said.

In western Myanmar along the Indian border, armed groups including the Arakan Army, Chin National Army, Chin Defence Force, Chin People's Union and Kachin Independence Army maintain territorial control.

Although Min Aung Hlaing has spoken of expanding trade, including border trade with India, the regime no longer controls large parts of Sagaing Region and Chin State, where resistance groups maintain significant influence along the India-Myanmar border.