SCO Summit in Tianjin: Modi reviews bilateral ties with Myanmar's leader

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin.

"Prime Minister noted that India attaches importance to its ties with Myanmar as part of its Neighbourhood First, Act East and Indo-Pacific policies," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

"The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed the way forward on several aspects of bilateral cooperation, including development partnership, defence and security, border management and border trade issues," the statement said.

The Prime Minister stressed that progress on ongoing connectivity projects would foster greater interaction between the people of the two countries, while promoting regional cooperation and integration as envisioned in India’s Act East policy.

Prime Minister Modi expressed the hope that the forthcoming elections in Myanmar will be held fairly and inclusively involving all stakeholders.

He underlined that India supports a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process, for which peaceful dialogue and consultation is the only way forward.

"Prime Minister reiterated India’s readiness to support the developmental needs of Myanmar," read the government statement.

India has been a major trading partner of Myanmar for ages.

"The bilateral trade stands at US$2.1 billion in 2024-25 which includes India’s export of over US$614 million and import from Myanmar of around US$1533 million [April-March, Source: Dept. of Commerce, India]," read the Indian Embassy in Myanmar's website.

The trade between the two countries has increased from previous FY 2023-24 [US$1.74 million].

However, Myanmar’s export to India has increased more than India’s export to Myanmar due to Govt. of India’s announcement of free import of Urad and Tur upto 31st March 2025, which has further extended up to 31st March 2026.

The overall trade has risen from US$1.29 billion in 2020-21 to US$1.89 billion in 2021-22; US$1.76 billion in 2022-23 and US$1.74 Billion in 2023-24.

India is become fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar.