Myanmar Junta Chief Attends BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand Amid Controversy, Seeks Bilateral Talks

Myanmar's junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, is set to attend the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 3-4, marking a rare visit to a Southeast Asian nation since the 2021 coup. This visit has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who condemn Thailand for potentially legitimizing the junta. During the summit, the Myanmar delegation is reportedly seeking bilateral meetings with leaders and top officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) aims to foster economic, social, and cultural ties among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal. Min Aung Hlaing is under western sanctions and barred from ASEAN summits due to the Myanmar military's failure to implement a peace plan. The BIMSTEC summit will be the first in-person meeting of leaders since 2018, focusing on regional cooperation, trade, and security.