Embassy of IndiaYangon, Myanmar

Speech by Ambassador Abhay Thakur at the Opening Ceremony of the

UN Peacekeeping Training Capsule

21 July 2025, Naypyitaw

Your Excellency Vice Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Commander in Chief of Defence Services, Myanmar Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief (Myanmar Army),

Distinguished Officers and members of Myanmar Armed Forces,

Defence Attache of the Embassy of India,

Team Leader of the CUNPK Mobile Training Team,

Distinguished Guests, my colleagues from the Embassy, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaste, Mingalabar, Good morning,

It is with a profound sense of privilege that I stand before this distinguished gathering graced by His Excellency Vice Senior General and Deputy Prime Minister himself, today. We are here to mark a significant moment in the enduring friendship and longstanding bilateral ties between India and Myanmar. The bilateral India-Myanmar Mobile Training Team initiative for a 14-day UN Peacekeeping Capsule for Myanmar Armed Forces, to be imparted by instructors from the Centre for UN Peacekeeping in New Delhi under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India is commencing today. It is truly heartening to see this vital exchange in its new phase, building upon the seven successful capsules conducted between 2016 and 2019.

Myanmar and India share a unique and profound bond, one that is deeply rooted in centuries of shared history, vibrant cultural exchanges, and an unbreakable geographical proximity. Myanmar stands at the confluence of three of India’s most important foreign policy priorities – Neighbourhood First, Act East and Indo-Pacific. This relationship is not merely strategic, it is a testament to our shared destiny and common future.

On this occasion today, I wish to reiterate India’s commitment, steadfast support and deep appreciation to the Government and Armed Forces of Myanmar for their unwavering trust on India and their warm, enthusiastic and efficient approach to ensure that all bilateral initiatives are implemented on ground, in a timely manner, and build further upon our close and abiding partnership. This peacekeeping training programme beginning today is a clear reflection of our shared aspirations for regional peace and stability. Moreover, this initiative is not just a training exercise, but a symbol of India’s resolve to share its experience and expertise with its friendly partner countries.

Since 1950, India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 2,90,000 peacekeeepers serving in more than 50 UN Missions. Currently, over 5000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 out of 11 active UN missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace. As the most consistent and the fourth largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, contributing over 8% of peacekeeping troops globally, India is

committed to and deeply honoured to sharing its extensive and invaluable peacekeeping experience.

Through the meticulously designed curriculum of this initiative, we will focus on strengthening Myanmar officers’ readiness and understanding in critical areas such as:

• Graduated escalation and conflict management: Equipping our peacekeepers with the nuanced skills to de-escalate tensions and manage conflicts effectively in volatile environments.
• Rules of engagement and protection of civilians: Reinforcing the paramount importance of adhering to international humanitarian law and ensuring the safety and well-being of civilian populations, which is the very essence of peacekeeping.
• Operational planning within complex peacekeeping environments: Providing practical insights and methodologies for effective planning and execution of missions in diverse and challenging operational theatres.

These subjects are not merely theoretical, they are the bedrock for addressing the practical, real-world challenges faced in peacekeeping theatres. In these demanding environments, maintaining stability, protecting vulnerable civilian populations, and ensuring the safety of peacekeepers themselves are not only on ground objectives, but also sacred duties preventing international conflicts from flaring up.

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Today’s event comes at a crucial time in Myanmar. We are in a very significant, historic, transitional phase of state and nation building in Myanmar. The SAC is poised to hold elections in December 2025 or January 2026. In this context, India is regularly sharing its experience and best domestic practices on Constitutionalism and Federalism, particularly multi-ethnic and multi-lingual federal system, with concerned stakeholders including NSPNC. Both India and Myanmar are ethnically and linguistically diverse countries. However, given our size and population, India is far more complex and diverse, and also has decades of successful democratic experience as the world’s largest democracy. Therefore, as Myanmar’s close and trusted neighbour, India is well positioned to meaningfully contribute towards and support Myanmar in its political journey. We will therefore continue to engage relevant stakeholders in Myanmar and extend our full support to an inclusive Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned process. I assure Your Excellency that as always, we will stand by Myanmar and its friendly people.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Government and people of India, I once again extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency the Vice Senior General, senior officers and each one of the UN Peacekeeping Capsule participants for their commitment and dedication to this important endeavour. Let us continue to work hand-in-hand, strengthening our bonds, and upholding the noble cause of peace.

Kyeizu Tin ba de – Thank you.

Jai Hind.