THE 3rd Myanmar–India Bilateral Dialogue, jointly organized by the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) and the India Foundation, was held at the MISIS Building in Yangon on 6 November 2025 under the theme “Myanmar-India: Strengthening Bilateral Partnership for Sustained Prosperity”. The Dialogue brought together members of MISIS and the India Foundation, along with senior officials, diplomats, scholars, and policy experts from both countries, to deliberate on key areas of mutual interest and reaffirm the shared commitment to deepening the long-standing friendship between Myanmar and India.
The event was preceded by a welcome dinner hosted by Mr Abhay Thakur, Ambassador of India to Myanmar, at India House on the evening of 5 November. The dinner was graced by the presence of U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, along with representatives from MISIS and the India Foundation.
At the launch of the dialogue on 6 November 2025, MISIS Chairman U Thant Kyaw made welcome remarks, and it was followed by keynote addresses by Ambassador Preeti Saran, Member of the Governing Council of the India Foundation, and Mr Abhay Thakur, Ambassador of India to Myanmar. A Letter of Cooperation was then signed between MISIS and the India Foundation to institutionalize the Myanmar– India Bilateral Dialogue as an annual forum, promoting sustained intellectual exchange and strategic collaboration between the two institutions.
Throughout the day, the Dialogue featured four thematic discussions reflecting the key pillars of Myanmar-India relations. Participants examined ways to enhance economic and infrastructure connectivity through expanded trade, investment, and regional integration under India’s Act East Policy. They also discussed strengthening security and strategic cooperation, including countering transnational crime, promoting maritime security, and advancing defence collaboration. Deliberations on sustainable development and humanitarian partnerships highlighted climate resilience, disaster management, healthcare, agriculture, and India’s development initiatives in Myanmar, notably in Rakhine State. The final session focused on soft power and people-centric ties – cultural exchange, Buddhist pilgrimage tourism, education, and media cooperation – to deepen people-to-people connections.
The Dialogue concluded with closing remarks by MISIS Chairman U Thant Kyaw and Captain Alok Bansal, Executive Vice-President of the India Foundation, who reiterated their commitment to advancing cooperation through continued dialogue and joint initiatives in the years ahead. — MISIS
