Min Aung Hlaing makes first ASEAN visit in Laos

Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing has arrived in Laos for his first official trip to a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since taking office, marking a notable moment in the bloc’s uneasy relations with his administration.

Landing in Vientiane on 3 July, Min Aung Hlaing met Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. The two leaders signed several agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in space technology. Analysts say the visit signals a potential shift in how some ASEAN members are choosing to engage with Myanmar’s military‑backed government.

Min Aung Hlaing formally transitioned from military ruler to civilian president in April, following elections in January that ASEAN has not recognised. The army‑aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party was declared the winner, continuing the military’s hold on power since its 2021 takeover.

Laos has already maintained a steady line of contact with Myanmar this year, through exchanges involving the Lao‑Myanmar Friendship Association and visits by senior officials. A Lao military delegation travelled to Naypyidaw last month, while Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane also met Min Aung Hlaing there.

The Laos trip follows Min Aung Hlaing’s recent visits to China and India, where he secured trade and infrastructure deals and discussed defence and border security. Observers note that these engagements reflect his push to strengthen ties with neighbours despite Myanmar’s ongoing internal conflict and strained relations with much of the international community.

For ASEAN, the visit underscores the challenge of balancing regional diplomacy with the bloc’s stated position of non‑recognition of Myanmar’s current government. Whether Laos’ outreach will encourage other members to follow suit remains to be seen.

-2026-07-05