Beyond Quad’s Concerns: India and China’s Engagement with the Junta
Following the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026, the bloc issued a joint communiqué expressing deep concern over the regional impact of Myanmar’s armed conflict.
The Quad reiterated its support for ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, calling for an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, the release of all arbitrarily detained persons, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the pursuit of inclusive political dialogue among all parties to the conflict. The communiqué specifically highlighted threats to regional security and the surge in cross-border crime arising from the Myanmar conflict as the Quad’s primary concerns. 1
On 1 June 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Myanmar junta leader Senior General (Retired) Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral border security, the refugee crisis caused by the armed conflict in Myanmar, cross-border crime, and efforts to counter online scam operations. Modi also reportedly inquired about the situation of detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two sides also discussed the two sides also discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the implementation of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) in the Paletwa area of Chin State, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project, and strategic cooperation on minerals and rare earth resources in Myanmar. 2
In a notable development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi – also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee – invited the junta’s Foreign Minister for an official visit to China from 4 to 6 June, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
The visit by the junta’s Foreign Minister, U Tin Maung Swe, highlights a rapid succession of reciprocal diplomatic exchanges between the two nations. Mao Ning stated that China hopes the visit will advance cooperation on the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and lay the groundwork for a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. 3
More than five years after the coup, the engagement of two major neighboring powers with (Retired) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the junta merits close scrutiny from resistance forces. International governments – including China and India – that recognize the junta chief as Head of State, while he continues to order airstrikes and bombings that claim civilian lives daily, must be urged to exercise caution and refrain from actions that amount to enabling a criminal regime.
1. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement, 26 May 2026
2. Special Briefing by MEA on the visit of President of Myanmar , 1 Jun 2026
3. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference , 3 Jun 2026