Bilateral Relations
Bilateral Relations
Bilateral Cooperation
Defence & Security Cooperation has strengthened over the years. Exchange of high-level visits, signing of MoU on Border Cooperation, training, Army, Air Force and Naval Staff Talks are important indicators in this direction. CNS Admiral Sunil Lamba (1-4 Nov 2016) and COAS Gen. Bipin Rawat (27-31 May 2017) visited Myanmar and held wide-ranging discussions on enhancing the scope of defence relations. In July 2017, Sr Gen Min Aung Hliang, C-in-C Myanmar Defense Services visited India, in what was his second visit in as many years, giving an opportunity to further cement defence ties. MOU on Maritime Security Cooperation was signed in September 2017 and MOU on Defence Cooperation was signed in July 2019. The last visit by CNS, Admiral KB Singh to Myanmar took place from 17-20 February 2020.
Commercial Cooperation: India has been a major trading partner of Myanmar for ages. The bilateral trade stands at US$2.1 billion in 2024-25 which includes India’s export of over US$614 million and import from Myanmar of around US$1533 million [April-March, Source: Dept. of Commerce, India]. The trade between the two countries has increased from previous FY 2023-24 [US$1.74 million]. However, Myanmar’s export to India has increased more than India’s export to Myanmar due to Govt. of India’s announcement of free import of Urad and Tur upto 31st March 2025, which has further extended up to 31st March 2026. The overall trade has risen from US$1.29 billion in 2020-21 to US$1.89 billion in 2021-22; US$1.76 billion in 2022-23 and US$1.74 Billion in 2023-24.
India is become fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar. Earlier India was on seventh position. India’s imports from Myanmar have achieved a growth of 64%, while India’s export to Myanmar witnessed a decline of 12% in the current financial year. India primarily exports pharmaceuticals, products of animal origin, cereal, foodstuff, animal feed, cotton, machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery etc. to Myanmar. Pharmaceuticals, in particular, are a significant export and India has captured 60% of Myanmar's market. Indian-made medicines are widely used in Myanmar due to their affordability and quality. On the other hand, Myanmar exports pulses, wood products, and agricultural goods to India. Pulses, such as lentils and beans, are a major import for India, as they help meet the domestic demand for food staples.
Investment: As per Govt. of Myanmar’s statistics, India is presently the eleventh largest investor with an approved investment of US$782.821 million by 39 Indian enterprises, out of the total estimated investments of US$ 96.05 billion from 53 countries (as on 31st March, 2025).
Banking and Financial: State Bank of India (SBI) was granted commercial banking license by the Government of Myanmar in March 2016. Punjab National Bank (earlier United Bank of India) also has its representative office in Yangon and started its operations. In order to boost bilateral trade, to ensure smoothly flow of goods and to enhance the usage of local currencies, a Rupee Kyat Trade Settlement Mechanism
has operationalized from 25 January 2024. Under this mechanism bilateral trade between two Countries (India-Myanmar) would done in INR. PNB is the nodal agency from Indian side. Currently 9 Myanmar’s banks have already established Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) mechanism for settlement of transactions in INR.
Disaster Relief: India has responded promptly and effectively to assist Myanmar in humanitarian relief operations following natural calamities like Cyclone Mora (2017), Komen (2015), earthquake in Shan State (2010), cyclone Nargis (2008) and the outbreak of Influenza virus in July-August 2017. Apart from this, US$200,000 cash was donated for Rakhine State rehabilitation. India provided assistance of US$ 1 million which was used to construct 10 schools in Rakhine State. A cargo vessel carrying 86 containers of 2200 MT of rice arrived in Yangon on 11 December 2024 and the consignment was handed over to the Government of Myanmar. India has launched following operations to assist Myanmar following natural calamities in recent past:
Operation Brahma: On 28 March 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, causing more than 3700 deaths and 5100 injuries and widespread destruction. In response to the calamity, India launched "Operation Brahma", a comprehensive humanitarian rescue and relief exercise to provide immediate support to the affected people of Myanmar with 9 military aircraft and 5 warships have transported approx. 968 MT of HADR aid. 118 member Indian Army Field Hospital team arrived in Mandalay and a total of 2,519 patients were treated with 55 major surgeries, 307 minor surgeries, 6888 lab investigations undertaken during this period.
Operation Sadbhav: As a first responder to natural disasters in the region, India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to those affected by flash floods caused by Typhoon Yagi. As part of Operation Sadbhav, the India provided 53 tonnes of emergency flood relief assistance which was handed over to the Government of Myanmar on 17th September 2024. This included essential medicines such as antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, flu medications, antihistamines, vitamins, minerals, ointments, and oral rehydration solutions.
Culture: India and Myanmar share a strong cultural bond rooted in their common Buddhist heritage. Building on this shared heritage, India has undertaken some key initiatives: Restoration of the Ananda Temple and earthquake damaged pagodas in Bagan. Performance of Cultural troupe have been organized on a regular basis. Myanmar troupes and artistes have participated in ICCR’s Ramayana Performing workshop, Kullu Dusshera Festival and Surajkund International Craft Mela during the year 2024-25. An exhibition on Ramayana was also organized in Myanmar.
Indian Diaspora: The origin of the Indian community in Myanmar is traced to the mid- 19th century with the advent of the British rule in Lower Burma in 1852. The two cities Yangon and Mandalay had a dominating presence of Indians in civil services, education, trade and commerce during the British rule. There are varying estt. of 1.5-
2.5 million people of Indian origin living and working in various parts of Myanmar. A
large number of Indian community (nearly 180,000) live in Bago (Zeyawaddy and Kuayktaga) and Tanintharyi Region and Mon State, primarily engaged in farming. Around 3000 strong NRI community in Myanmar mainly lives in Yangon and Mandalay, engaged in export-import business or employees of MNCs based in India, Singapore and Thailand.
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June 2025
