New Delhi: India will send Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to attend the inauguration of Myanmar’s new president, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, a move that signals New Delhi’s acceptance of the military-led political transition.The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Singh will visit Myanmar from April 8 to 11 at the invitation of the Government of Myanmar and attend the inauguration ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw on April 10. He is also expected to meet officials, review ongoing trade and development cooperation, and interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Yangon.Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 military takeover that removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, was elected president by a parliament dominated by military-backed lawmakers.The election was held under conditions that opponents and independent observers said were neither free nor fair, with key opposition parties blocked from contesting or refusing to take part. He secured 429 of 584 votes in the legislature and is set to be sworn in along with two vice presidents.India has said the electoral process in Myanmar should be “free, fair and inclusive”, with participation of all stakeholders “important for the credibility of the electoral exercise”.New Delhi acknowledged that two Indian nationals, including a former retired army commander, were election observers, but claimed that they were present in a private capacity. Myanmar’s state media, however, listed them alongside official observers from Russia and China.Since the 2021 coup, India had broadly aligned with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which calls for an end to violence, dialogue among all parties and humanitarian access, though the framework has seen limited progress.ASEAN as a bloc did not send observers. Malaysia, the grouping’s 2025 chair, called for “free, fair and comprehensive elections” and stressed the need for peace.After the election of Min Aun Hliang as president, state Myanmar media published the letters of congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent congratulatory messages.Thailand’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister also sent a congratulatory note, with the information that Bangkok will be represented by a former foreign minister and ruling Thai politician at the inauguration ceremony.India shares a 1,643-kilometre land border with Myanmar through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The instability has affected connectivity initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and raised concerns over cross-border insurgency and trafficking.New Delhi is also pursuing infrastructure projects such as the Kaladan port and highway and hosts more than 87,000 refugees from Myanmar.India has maintained engagement with Myanmar’s military authorities despite calls from ethnic opposition groups to support efforts to press the regime towards a return to democracy, even as the military leadership has grown increasingly dependent on China.Beijing’s support has proven crucial to the junta’s survival. After rebel forces made gains over vast territories in a 2023 offensive, Chinese backing helped the military regain ground through new weaponry and diplomatic pressure on ethnic armed groups along the border.China has also been active in securing infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor linking Yunnan province to the Indian Ocean, and has reportedly facilitated the return of some areas from rebel control to the military.