Guwahati: Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a network of covert activists campaigning against Myanmar's military regime, has strongly criticised the Indian government's decision to host Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing during his ongoing visit to the country.
In a statement, JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung described Min Aung Hlaing as "a war criminal waging a campaign of terror against the Myanmar people" and condemned India's engagement with his administration.
"We condemn India's decision to host Min Aung Hlaing, who is a war criminal waging a campaign of terror against the Myanmar people," Maung said.
Maung further alleged that India has been a longstanding supporter of Myanmar's military authorities and accused Indian state-owned defence companies of supplying arms, equipment and technology to the military regime.
"The Indian government has long been a key supporter of the illegal Myanmar junta, and we have repeatedly shown how state-owned Indian arms companies provide arms, equipment and technology to the junta and are complicit in its commission of international crimes," Maung said.
According to JFM, India's support extends beyond defence cooperation. The group alleged that India provides military training and educational support to Myanmar's military leadership and maintains business ties with junta-controlled enterprises through Indian public sector companies operating in the oil and gas sector.
"Yet, Indian complicity is only deepening. India also provides military training and education support to the illegal junta, and Indian state-owned companies are in business with junta-controlled enterprises, including MOGE through the involvement of GAIL and ONGC in the oil and gas sector," Maung said.
Calling on New Delhi to reconsider its approach, she urged India to stop providing legitimacy to Myanmar's military rulers and instead support the country's pro-democracy movement.
"India must change course, stop awarding false legitimacy to the junta, stop profiting from the military's campaign of terror against the people, and instead support the Myanmar people who are struggling and sacrificing daily for federal democracy," Maung added.
The criticism comes as Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing began a five-day visit to India on Saturday. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, border security and defence.
Min Aung Hlaing started his trip with a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya before travelling to New Delhi later in the day.
Welcoming the Myanmar leader, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media: "A warm welcome to President U Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on his arrival in Bodh Gaya."
"His visit reflects the strong spiritual, historical and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries and the depth of our ongoing cooperation," Jaiswal added.
The Myanmar President was received at the airport by Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd).
The visit comes less than two months after Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency following Myanmar's parliamentary elections held in December and January. He had previously led the country's military administration after the February 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh represented India at Min Aung Hlaing's inauguration last month.
Myanmar remains one of India's key strategic neighbours, sharing a 1,640-km border with several northeastern states, including Nagaland and Manipur. The Myanmar President is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers, senior officials and business leaders.