Consulate General of India

Sittwe, Myanmar

Consulate General of India 

Sittwe 

***   General and Bilateral Brief : India-Myanmar 

Background 

India shares a long land border with Myanmar spanning over 1643 kms, out of which about 510 kms. lies between Chin State and Mizoram, 398 kms between Manipur and Chin State/Sagaing Region, 215 kms between Nagaland and Sagaing Region and 520 kms between Arunachal Pradesh and Sagaing Region/Kachin State. 

Both countries share a heritage of religious, linguistic and ethnic ties. Further, Myanmar is the only ASEAN country adjoining India and, therefore, our gateway to South East Asia. India is seeking to enhance its cooperation with Myanmar in line with our ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policies.  

Bilateral Institutional Mechanisms 

India and Myanmar have several institutional mechanisms to ensure regular consultations between the two governments.  

The Foreign Office Consultations is led by Foreign Secretary and Permanent Secretary of Myanmar. The 19th Foreign Office Consultations were held on 1 October 2020 in virtual mode.  

The National Level Meeting (NLM) at Home Secretary/ Dy. Home Minister-level is the main forum to discuss security cooperation, consular issues, drug trafficking and liaison between agencies. The 22nd meeting was held on 25-26 October 2018 in New Delhi.  

The NLM is supplemented by a Joint Secretary-level / Sectoral Level Meeting (SLM), also led by Ministry of Home Affairs. The 24th SLM was held on 23-24 September 2019 at Nay Pyi Taw. The 25th SLM has been held in January 2025 at New Delhi. 

The main forum for the representatives of the armed forces to discuss counter insurgency and border security is the Regional Border Coordination Committee Meeting (RBCCs). The 15th RBCC was held in Manipur, India from 9-11 December 2019. 

Boundary matters are discussed by Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) led by Joint Secretary (BM), MEA. The 3rd JBWG meeting was held on 26-27 August 2018 in Yangon.  

Commercial issues are discussed in the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held at Commerce Minister-level. The 7th JTC Meeting was held on 24 November 2020 in a virtual mode. 

High-level Visits 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the 12th ASEAN-India Summit and 9th East Asia Summit in Myanmar (11-13 November 2014, Nay Pyi Taw). Prime Minister also visited Myanmar in 2017 (5-7 September 2017), when 12 MoUs in various sectors on strengthening our bilateral cooperation was signed.  

Former State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi undertook a State Visit to India on 17- 19 October 2016 after participating in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit on 16 October, in Goa. She also visited India for the 25th India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in January 2018, and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister. 

Former External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited Myanmar on 10- 11 May 2018 and 22 August 2016. National Security Advisor visited Myanmar on 16 June 2016 as Special Envoy of Prime Minister. 

Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji visited Myanmar from 10-14 December 2018. During the visit two MoUs, one on S&T cooperation and the other on Judicial Training was signed between the two sides. President of India held bilateral meetings with the then President of Myanmar, U Win Myint and the then State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Former President of Myanmar, U Win Myint visited India for the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister in May 2019.  

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a meeting with the then State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the 16th ASEAN-India Summit on 3 November 2019 in Bangkok. 

Deputy National Security Advisor visited Myanmar on 17 January 2020. 

Former President of Myanmar, U Win Myint and First Lady Daw Cho Cho paid a State Visit to India from 27-29 February 2020 during which 10 MoUs/agreements in areas like implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs); projects under Rakhine State Development Program; Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; and cooperation in areas like petroleum, communication and health research were signed.  

Other notable recent visits were those by Myanmar Minister of Agriculture to India in September 2022, Myanmar Minister of Law to India in September 2022 and Myanmar Minister of Commerce to India in October 2022. Foreign Secretary of India visited Myanmar in November 2022. 

Defence & Security Cooperation  

Defence and security cooperation has strengthened over the years. Exchange of high-level visits, signing of MoU on Border Cooperation, training, Army, Air Force and Naval Staff Talks are important indicators in this direction.  

Then Defense Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra visited Myanmar in May 2019 and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces of Myanmar visited India in July 2019. Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar visited Myanmar in October 2019. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh visited Myanmar from 17-20 February 2020. Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services visited India in February 2020 to attend DefExpo 2020. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Sr. Gen. MAH) on 24 June 2020 on the sidelines of Russia’s Victory Day Parade in Moscow. Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane visited Myanmar in October 2020. 

Commercial Cooperation 

Since the signing of the India-Myanmar trade agreement in 1970, bilateral trade has grown steadily. India is the fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar.  

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]. The trade between the two countries has increased from previous FY 2023-24 [US$1.74 billion]. 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 31 March 2025, which has further extended up to 31 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 has become fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar. Earlier India was on seventh position. India’s imports from Myanmar have achieved a growth of 64%, while India’s export to Myanmar witnessed a decline of 12% in the Fiscal Year 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic. India primarily exports pharmaceuticals, products of animal origin, cereal, foodstuff, animal feed, cotton, machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery etc. to Myanmar. Pharmaceuticals, in particular, are a significant export and India has captured 60% of Myanmar's market. India-made medicines are widely used in Myanmar due to their affordability and quality. On the other hand, Myanmar exports pulses, wood products, and agricultural goods to India. Pulses, such as lentils and beans, are a major import for India, as they help meet the domestic demand for food staples. 

Investment 

As per Govt. of Myanmar’s statistics, India is presently the eleventh largest investor with an approved investment of US$782.821 million by 39 Indian enterprises, out of the total estimated investments of US$ 96.05 billion from 53 countries (as on 31 March 2025). 

Banking and Financial 

State Bank of India (SBI) was granted commercial banking license by the Government of Myanmar in March 2016. Punjab National Bank (earlier United Bank of India) also has its representative office in Yangon and started its operations. 

In order to boost bilateral trade, to ensure smooth flow of goods and to enhance the usage of local currencies, a Rupee Kyat Trade Settlement Mechanism has been operationalized from 25 January 2024. Under this mechanism bilateral trade between two Countries (India-Myanmar) would done in INR. PNB is the nodal agency from Indian side. Currently, 9 Myanmar banks have already established Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) mechanism for settlement of transactions in INR. 

Development Cooperation  

An important aspect of these initiatives is that they are, for most part, completely grant-funded, though India also extends a considerable amount of assistance by way of concessional finance for projects ranging from transport and communications to agriculture and farm mechanization and highway development. The total portfolio involving Indian assistance is valued at approximately US$ 1.5 billion, of which projects worth nearly US$ 1 billion are completely grant-funded. 

The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor (KMTTC) Project is the most significant infrastructure project undertaken by India in Myanmar to create a multi modal transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as North-Eastern part of India via Myanmar. The project includes a waterway component of 158 km on Kaladan River from Sittwe to Paletwa and a road component of 109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram State. Under a bilateral MOU for management of port operations signed in October 2018 and amendment MoU signed in April 2025, the Sittwe Port is being managed by a nominated Indian entity, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). The Port has berthed over 185 vessels. The road works from Zorinpui towards Paletwa for the stretch of 109 Km is under progress. 

The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is the other major connectivity project that India is involved on two segments. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been identified as the implementing agency for both the components of the project. 

As part of capacity building initiatives, the Government of India has assisted in setting up of premier institutes in the fields of Information Technology, agriculture, industrial training, entrepreneurship development, healthcare, etc. Some of the flagship projects which have been handed over / completed are (i) The Myanmar Institute of Information Technology (MIIT) in Mandalay, (ii) The Rice Bio-Park in Nay Pyi Taw, (iii) The India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centres (IMITC) at Pakokku (2010), Myingyan (2013), and Thaton (2024), (iv) Upgradation of Yangon Children Hospital and Sittwe General Hospital, and (v) restoration of the 11th century architectural marvel, the Ananda Pagoda at the UNESCO World heritage Site, Bagan. 

In addition to these major infrastructure projects, a large number of community focused projects are undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Border Affairs, Government of Myanmar under India-Myanmar Border Area Development Programme (BADP). It involves extending infrastructure and micro-economic development assistance through a grant-in-aid of US$ 25 Million for 5 years [US$ 5 million per annum]. Under this, 179 projects including 52 schools, 18 health centres, 106 bridges & roads and 3 infrastructure projects were constructed/built between 2013-2024 in Chin State and Naga Self-Administered Zone of Myanmar. 

Similarly, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Government of Myanmar, under the Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP), Government of India is providing assistance for community infrastructure in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. It has committed a grant-in-aid of US$ 25 Million for 5 years i.e. 5 million/annum. A total of 250 prefabricated houses, solar electrification for 5 villages, water supply system in Gwa township and health care equipment have been provided. Two projects for a seed storage house and an agriculture mechanization sub-station are under advanced stage of implementation. 

Under the Small Development Project (SDP) mechanism, high impact community development projects have been taken up across various sectors, which include 200- bedded Women & Children Hospital at Monywa, provision of 40 computers & other associated peripherals at Sittwe Computer university and 15 tractors & 15 crawler harvesters to the Rakhine State Government.  

Disaster Relief 

In response to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, India launched "Operation Brahma" to provide immediate support to the affected people of Myanmar. 9 military aircraft and 5 warships have transported approx. 968 MT of HADR. 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital team arrived in Mandalay and a total of 2,519 patients were treated with 55 major surgeries, 307 minor surgeries, 6888 lab investigations undertaken during this period.  

A cargo vessel carrying 86 containers of 2200 MT of rice arrived in Yangon on 11 December 2024 and the consignment was handed over to the Government of Myanmar to assist flood victims.  

As a first responder to natural disasters in the region, India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). 53 tonnes of emergency flood relief assistance was handed over to Myanmar on 17 September 2024. This included essential medicines such as antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, flu medications, antihistamines, vitamins, minerals, ointments, and ORS. 

India has responded promptly and effectively to assist Myanmar in humanitarian relief operations following natural calamities like Cyclone Mora (2017), Komen (2015), earthquake in Shan State (2010), cyclone Nargis in 2008 and the outbreak of Influenza virus in July-August 2017, Apart from this, US$200,000 cash was donated for Rakhine State rehabilitation. India provided assistance of US$ 1 million which was used to construct 10 schools in Rakhine State. 

Culture 

India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship given India's Buddhist heritage. Building on this shared heritage India is undertaking some key initiatives: Restoration of the Ananda Temple in Bagan and GoI donation of a 16 foot replica of the Sarnath Buddha Statue which has been installed at the premises of Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon. Performances by cultural troupes have been organized on a regular basis. Myanmar troupes and artistes have participated in ICCR’s Ramayana Performing workshop, Kullu Dusshera Festival and Surajkund International Craft Mela during the year 2024-25. An exhibition on Ramayana was also organized in Myanmar. 

Indian Diaspora 

The origin of the Indian community in Myanmar is traced to the mid-19th century with the advent of the British rule in Lower Burma in 1852. The two cities Yangon and Mandalay had a dominating presence of Indians in civil services, education, trade and commerce during the British rule. There are varying estt. of 1.5-2.5 million people of Indian origin living and working in various parts of Myanmar. A large number of Indian community (nearly 180,000) live in Bago (Zeyawaddy and Kuayktaga) and Tanintharyi Region and Mon State, primarily engaged in farming. Around 3000 strong NRI community in Myanmar mainly lives in Yangon and Mandalay, engaged in export-import business or employees of MNCs based in India, Singapore and Thailand. 

*** 

July 2025