Guwahati: India and Myanmar held the 3rd India-Myanmar Defence Cooperation Meeting in Guwahati on October 7, 2026, with both sides reviewing progress in bilateral defence cooperation and discussing new initiatives to strengthen security ties.
The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chief of Armed Forces Training, Myanmar, Lt Gen Pyae Sone Linn. Discussions focused on defence cooperation, training, capacity building and enhancing mutual security.
India and Myanmar Review Defence Cooperation Initiatives
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives agreed during the previous Defence Cooperation Meeting held in Yangon in 2025.
Both countries also exchanged views on new areas of cooperation aimed at further strengthening their ongoing defence engagement.
Key areas discussed included:
- Defence cooperation
- Training and capacity building
- Operational capabilities
- Mutual security
- Strengthening bilateral institutional mechanisms
- Cooperation on emerging security challenges
The discussions reflected the importance of sustained engagement between the defence establishments of both countries.
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Guwahati Meeting Highlights Northeast Security
The decision to hold the Defence Cooperation Meeting in Guwahati carries particular significance as India’s Northeast shares a direct border with Myanmar.
India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometre land border, making border management and security an important component of bilateral relations.
The two countries continue to address security concerns along the frontier, including:
- Insurgency
- Narcotics trafficking
- Arms smuggling
- Other forms of transnational crime
Training, operational coordination and capacity building remain important elements of the wider India-Myanmar security partnership.
Focus on Training and Capacity Building
The latest meeting placed particular emphasis on training and capacity building.
Both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen the capabilities of their respective security and defence institutions.
The discussions are expected to support greater institutional coordination and contribute to addressing shared security concerns along the India-Myanmar border and in the wider region.
Myanmar Appreciates India’s Operation Brahma Assistance
The Myanmar side appreciated India’s humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
Through Operation Brahma, India provided relief and assistance to Myanmar as a first responder and close neighbour.
India’s humanitarian response added an important dimension to the bilateral relationship, demonstrating cooperation beyond conventional defence and security engagement.
India and Myanmar Strengthen Maritime Defence Cooperation
The latest defence dialogue follows several other high-level military interactions between the two countries.
In May 2026, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Myanmar and held discussions on strengthening maritime engagement between the two countries.
The discussions covered areas including:
- Maritime cooperation
- Training exchanges
- Mobile Training Teams
- Hydrography
- Interoperability
- Maritime security in the Bay of Bengal
Both sides also explored opportunities to enhance cooperation for maintaining maritime security in the region.
Defence Cooperation Supports Wider Regional Security
The latest India-Myanmar Defence Cooperation Meeting reinforces New Delhi’s efforts to combine defence cooperation, capacity building and border security with its wider regional engagement.
For India, stronger institutional defence engagement with Myanmar remains important for maintaining stability along the Northeast and addressing shared security concerns.
The partnership also has significance for security in the wider Bay of Bengal region, while supporting India’s broader Neighbourhood First and Act East approaches.
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