Myanmar’s coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been sworn in as the country’s new president, five years after he ousted an elected government and triggered a civil war.
In his inauguration address in Naypyidaw on Friday, he said that “Myanmar has returned to the path of democracy and is heading towards a better future”, while acknowledging the country still has many “challenges to overcome”.
Min Aung Hlaing was voted to the top office last week in a landslide victory by the pro-military parliament, formalising his grip on power. He was among three candidates nominated for the post, with the other two becoming vice presidents.
The 69-year-old general seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi, placing her under arrest and sparking protests and violence that plunged Myanmar into chaos.
The coup led to a civil disobedience movement and the formation of anti-coup armed groups, met by a harsh military response. Myanmar was later suspended from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In his address, he said they “will enhance international relations and strive to restore normal relations” with ASEAN.
Friday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the neighbouring nations of China, India and Thailand as well as 20 other countries, according to the AFP news agency.
His election has been criticized as a farce following a lopsided parliamentary vote dominated by the military-backed party.
The conflict continues, with anti-military groups forming a united front. According to United Nations estimates, at least 3.6 million people have been displaced since 2021, while conflict monitors report more than 96,000 deaths.
MoS KV Singh delivers PM Modi’s letter to new President
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met Myanmar’s new President Min Aung Hlaing on Friday and handed over a letter of felicitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Singh represented India at the inauguration ceremony held in Nay Pyi Taw.
“Called on U Min Aung Hlaing and handed over a letter of felicitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to him on his assumption of office as the President of Myanmar today,” Singh said on social media.
“Myanmar and India are close partners with age-old ties, as well as land and maritime neighbours. India remains committed to further strengthening its multifaceted bilateral cooperation with Myanmar under its ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’ and ‘MAHASAGAR’ policies, and to extending developmental assistance for the benefit of the people of Myanmar,” he added.
Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometre border with a number of northeastern states, including Nagaland.
The country holds strategic importance in India’s regional outreach policies like ”Neighbourhood First”, “Act East” and “MAHASAGAR”. Modi announced the MAHASAGAR vision, “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions,” during his visit to Mauritius last year. (With inputs from agencies)