Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing — the former junta chief who seized power in a 2021 coup and transitioned to a nominally civilian presidency in April — chose India as the destination of his first official foreign visit, bypassing China in a move that surprised many observers. The trip, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, effectively granted India's de facto recognition to Myanmar's military-backed government and covered talks on critical minerals trade, a bilateral currency settlement mechanism, and stalled connectivity projects such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit corridor. The visit reflects New Delhi's bid to retain influence in its neighbourhood as China deepens its foothold across South Asia, though it carries significant costs: India–Myanmar border forces exchanged artillery fire during the talks, Myanmar's government-in-exile formally protested the meeting, and critics warn that legitimising Naypyidaw's ruling authority risks alienating pro-democracy forces and compounding India's already fragile standing in the region.