Request to rescind the official visit of Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing to India and to review diplomatic engagement in solidarity with the people of Myanmar

28 May 2026

To:
Shri Narendra Modi
Honourable Prime Minister
The Republic of India, New Delhi

28 May 2026

Subject: Request to rescind the official visit of Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing to India and to review diplomatic engagement in solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

Honourable Prime Minister Modi,

We, the undersigned 122 civil society organizations, humanitarian networks, and ethnic community groups, respectfully write to you with the highest regard for the Republic of India, the world’s largest democracy and our enduring neighbour. Throughout our shared history, the people of Myanmar have deeply cherished our close bilateral relations. We remain profoundly grateful for India’s historical solidarity with our democratic aspirations and for the humanitarian shelter your government and people have provided to displaced Myanmar people fleeing the military’s violence, especially in the post-2021 illegal coup attempt.

We acknowledge and deeply regret the cross-border repercussions that India has endured due to the instability in Myanmar. However, it is undeniable that the influx of illicit narcotics, unregulated cross-border smuggling, the displacement of tens of thousands of refugees, and the entrapment of Indian nationals in cyber-scam syndicates are consequences of the breakdown of the rule of law under the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing, which harbors and profits from these activities. By subverting democratic governance and aligning Myanmar’s strategic interests with destabilizing global actors, the current military leadership poses a severe threat to regional security. The 26 May 2026 QUAD Joint Statement also acknowledged Myanmar’s impact on regional security, transnational crime, and cyber-scam operations.

It is against this backdrop of ongoing suffering that we received news of the proposed official state visit of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to India with deep consternation. To grant a formal reception to the architect of the Myanmar polycrisis, who continues to arbitrarily detain democratically elected leaders, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, alongside over 22,000 political leaders and democracy activists, would inadvertently legitimize an illegal junta responsible for systematic violations of human rights and atrocity crimes against Myanmar’s peoples.

While we understand and share India’s desire for regional stability, a diplomatic approach that confers state legitimacy upon the military junta directly undermines the aspirations of the people of Myanmar and overlooks their immense sacrifices, suffering, and ongoing efforts to achieve federal democracy. A sustainable solution to the crisis can only be achieved by compelling the military leadership to cease all violence, respect the democratic will of the people, and be held accountable for committing atrocity crimes against the people.

Therefore, in the spirit of democratic solidarity and long-term bilateral friendship, we earnestly appeal to your administration to cancel the official visit of the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and refrain from any actions that grant political legitimacy to the military junta. Myanmar’s instability threatens India’s border security, Bay of Bengal stability, the Act East Policy, the Kaladan Project, and wider Indo-Pacific strategic interests. We urge India to stand firmly with the people of Myanmar as they strive to restore democracy, peace, and stability.

Respectfully yours,

People Movement Platform

Contact: peoplemovementplatform@gmail.com

This open letter is endorsed by 122 organizations, including 2 that remain undisclosed due to security issues.