Myanmar Junta Chief Attends BIMSTEC Summit, Seeks Bilateral Talks

Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to attend the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand on April 3-4, marking his first significant trip abroad since the military coup in 2021. His participation aims to secure bilateral meetings with leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser, Muhammed Yunus, despite facing Western sanctions and exclusion from ASEAN meetings due to non-compliance with a peace plan. Sources indicate that Myanmar's officials have been actively seeking these discussions to bolster international legitimacy amid ongoing civil turmoil and humanitarian crises in the country. The junta's plans for a return to democracy through elections have been criticized as a facade to maintain military control. The visit is seen as a strategic move to gain recognition for his governance in the face of international scrutiny over human rights violations. However, the political situation in Myanmar remains dire, with a significant portion of the population requiring humanitarian assistance.