Modi Urges Myanmar to Hold Fair Elections at SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Myanmar’s military leadership to ensure that upcoming elections are fair, inclusive, and involve all stakeholders. The appeal was made during a bilateral meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s acting president and junta chief, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China.

India has expressed growing concern over the unrest in Myanmar following the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. With civil war engulfing large parts of the country and resistance forces seizing control of key border zones, the instability has had direct implications for India’s northeastern frontier, particularly Mizoram, which has seen an influx of refugees.

Modi reiterated India’s support for a “Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process,” stressing that dialogue and consultation are the only viable paths forward. He also underscored Myanmar’s strategic importance within India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East, and Indo-Pacific policies.

The junta has announced multi-phase elections beginning on 28 December, but opposition groups have vowed to boycott the polls, citing concerns over transparency and repression. Modi’s remarks signal India’s diplomatic push for a more credible process, even as scepticism remains over the junta’s intentions.

Beyond electoral concerns, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in defence, border management, and development projects. Modi emphasised that progress in connectivity initiatives could foster deeper ties and regional integration.

The Prime Minister also held informal talks with several other leaders at the summit, including those from Nepal, the Maldives, Vietnam, and Central Asia, highlighting India’s broader engagement across the region.

As Myanmar prepares for its first elections in nearly five years, India’s message is clear: stability and legitimacy must come through inclusive governance—not force. Whether the junta heeds that call remains uncertain.

-2025-09-01