Myanmar President offers prayers at Mahabodhi during India visit

Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bihar's Gaya on Saturday, marking the beginning of his five-day official visit to India aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.Soon after his arrival, President Hlaing visited the revered Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya and offered prayers. He was received at the airport by Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.).

VIDEO | Bodh Gaya, Bihar: Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing offers prayers at Maha Bodhi Temple.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/J25TLJWTs5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 30, 2026

Welcoming the visiting leader, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit reflects the deep civilisational, spiritual and people-to-people ties shared by India and Myanmar.“Strengthening civilisational links with our neighbour! A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya,” the MEA said in a post on social media platform X.The ministry added that the visit underscores the strong historical connections between the two countries and the depth of their ongoing cooperation.
Later in the day, the Myanmar President is scheduled to visit the Mahabodhi Ekta Dhamma Monastery in Bodh Gaya.

Strengthening civilisational links with our neighbour!

A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya. He was received by Hon’ble Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) @GovernorBihar at the airport.

The visit reflects the strong… pic.twitter.com/jXFPfiF1mz

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 30, 2026

According to information, during his stay in India, President Hlaing will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 1. The discussions are expected to focus on further strengthening relations between the two countries and expanding cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.The Myanmar President is also scheduled to participate in a business forum and engage with Indian industry representatives. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers, senior government officials and business leaders.On June 2, President Hlaing will travel to Mumbai for business and industry interactions as well as site visits.
The MEA said Myanmar occupies a significant place in India's foreign policy framework, lying at the intersection of the country's Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR initiatives.“The official visit of President U Min Aung Hlaing to India is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multi-faceted relations between the two countries,” the ministry said.
The visit comes weeks after Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attended President Hlaing's swearing-in ceremony in Myanmar in April. During the visit, Singh conveyed Prime Minister Modi's felicitations and reiterated India's commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and extending developmental assistance for the benefit of the people of Myanmar.President U Min Aung Hlaing was elected President of Myanmar on April 3 this year. Prior to assuming office, he stepped down as Commander-in-Chief after leading the country since 2021 following a military takeover.Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Min Aung Hlaing met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, where the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed avenues for greater cooperation.