02.06.2026: Lord Buddha is the Spiritual Link Connecting the Two Nations: Governor

India Visit Aimed at Enhancing Economic Cooperation, Trade and Investment: U Min Aung Hlaing

Expresses Gratitude for India’s Assistance During Earthquake and COVID-19 Pandemic

Lord Buddha is the Spiritual Link Connecting the Two Nations: Governor

Myanmar and India were both once under colonial rule. However, the close ties between the two countries have remained strong both before and after independence. I have visited Mumbai, the gateway to western India, to give fresh momentum to these relations. This visit to India is aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, trade and investment between the two nations, said Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing.

The President was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Lok Bhavan Mumbai on Tuesday (2 June).

President U Min Aung Hlaing noted that India and Myanmar share a 1,600-kilometre-long land border as well as an extensive maritime boundary. There is immense scope for expanding trade and mutual cooperation between the two countries, he said. With this objective, he met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. He also visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai and participated in a business conference.

The President gratefully acknowledged India’s assistance following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar last year. He specifically referred to “Operation Brahma,” under which India dispatched medical teams, a temporary field hospital, essential relief materials and humanitarian assistance to support rescue and relief operations in Myanmar.

He also expressed gratitude to the Government and people of India for providing vaccines, oxygen cylinders and food supplies to Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Buddha is the Spiritual Link Connecting the Two Nations: Governor

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said that Lord Buddha serves as a profound spiritual link between India and Myanmar. He noted that when the practice of Vipassana meditation was on the verge of disappearing in India, Myanmar preserved the tradition, enabling people across the world to benefit from it today.

The Governor said that India’s Buddhist Circuit, which connects the sacred sites associated with Lord Buddha, would play an important role in promoting tourism between the two countries.

Stating that Myanmar occupies a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, the Governor said that Myanmar serves as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and the ASEAN nations. He expressed confidence that the President’s visit to India would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Among those present at the meeting were Khin Maung Yi, Union Minister from the President’s Office of Myanmar; Tin Maung Swe, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Lieutenant General Moe Myint Swe of the Myanmar Defence Services; the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar; the Myanmar Ambassador to India; and Maharashtra’s Minister of Protocol Jaykumar Rawal.

The luncheon hosted after the meeting was attended by the Governor’s wife Sudha Dev Varma; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis; Amruta Fadnavis; Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar; Chairman of the Legislative Council Prof. Ram Shinde; Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha; Minister of Protocol Jaykumar Rawal; Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal; Director General of Police Sadanand Date; Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Ashwini Bhide; India’s Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur; Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti; Air Vice Marshal Prashant Vadodkar, Air Officer Commanding, Maritime Air Operations; and other distinguished guests.