India Advocates for Myanmar-Led Peace Initiative Amid Ongoing Turmoil

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated India's commitment to a Myanmar-led peace process aimed at fostering stability and development in the country. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sarsobeikman Literary Centre in Yangon, he highlighted the importance of India's relationship with Myanmar, which is crucial to New Delhi's foreign policy strategies. Amid ongoing unrest following the military coup in 2021, Jaishankar emphasized the need for an inclusive approach to peace and development, reflecting India's long-standing ties with Myanmar through shared culture and history. The new literary centre aims to promote the conservation of Myanmar's rich literary heritage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 10:50 IST

India's Commitment to Myanmar's Peace Process

Guwahati, March 5: India firmly backs a peace initiative that is both led and owned by Myanmar, aimed at achieving sustainable peace and development for the nation, stated External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar today.

During his address, Jaishankar emphasized the significance of India's relationship with Myanmar, noting that the nation is pivotal to New Delhi's three primary foreign policy strategies: 'Neighbourhood First', 'Act East', and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

Myanmar, sharing a 1,640-kilometre border with several northeastern states, including the conflict-affected Nagaland and Manipur, is considered one of India's strategic neighbors.

Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, Myanmar has experienced extensive violent protests. Recently, the military-affiliated party emerged victorious in the country's general elections.

Jaishankar made these remarks during a virtual event marking the opening of the Sarsobeikman Literary Centre in Yangon, a project supported by New Delhi.

He remarked, “As the world’s largest democracy, with 1.4 billion people coexisting peacefully, India has consistently shared its insights on federalism and constitutionalism with Myanmar's stakeholders.”

“We advocate for a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process that can foster enduring peace and development for all citizens,” he added.

Jaishankar noted that the Sarsobeikman Centre will facilitate the preservation and exploration of Myanmar's classical and folk literature, alongside translation, archival efforts, creative writing, and academic exchanges.

“Myanmar is central to our three key foreign policy priorities: Neighbourhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR, which encompasses the Indo-Pacific,” he stated.

“Our diverse engagement spans political, trade, security, and cultural cooperation. In terms of development, our approach has been centered on the people and driven by local needs, focusing on enhancing local economies and improving living standards,” the minister explained.

Jaishankar concluded by highlighting the deep-rooted connections between India and Myanmar, forged over centuries through spirituality, kinship, geography, language, and literature.

“As Buddhism and Pali literature spread across South Asia, they brought with them shared ideas, texts, and a common intellectual heritage,” he remarked.