Beijing: India has officially voiced support for Myanmar’s upcoming general election scheduled for December 28, 2025, despite the ongoing civil conflict and widespread criticism over its credibility. The Indian government has indicated plans to deploy observer teams to monitor the polls, underscoring New Delhi’s intent to maintain engagement with Myanmar’s military-led administration while emphasizing regional stability.
The development follows a rare face-to-face interaction between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar’s military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. Myanmar’s state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, reported that both leaders discussed measures to safeguard peace and security in border regions, strengthen bilateral trade, and enhance overall cooperation. The meeting marks one of the few high-profile diplomatic engagements India has had with Myanmar’s military authorities since the 2021 coup.
The planned election is Myanmar’s first general vote since the military ousted the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, an event that plunged the nation into widespread civil unrest. The military-backed administration has announced that elections will be held in over 300 constituencies nationwide, including areas currently controlled by opposition armed groups. However, critics argue that the election is largely a strategy for the military to consolidate power through proxy political parties, and ongoing conflicts threaten both voter access and the legitimacy of the results.
India’s support for the elections reflects its long-standing policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar, despite international concerns over human rights violations and democratic backsliding. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted that Prime Minister Modi hopes the elections will be “held in a credible and peaceful manner,” while the planned observer missions aim to ensure transparency and stability in the process.
The international community remains divided over Myanmar’s election. While India and China have expressed support and a preference for stability, Western nations and human rights organizations have condemned the vote as a façade for military control. Analysts suggest that India’s position is strategically motivated, aimed at securing influence in Myanmar, safeguarding border security, and protecting its economic and infrastructural interests in the region, including trade routes and energy connectivity.
With tensions continuing to simmer in Myanmar and the broader Southeast Asian region, the December elections could prove pivotal in shaping regional geopolitics. India’s backing signals a pragmatic approach to dealing with a complex neighbor, balancing its strategic interests with the optics of supporting democratic processes in a nation still grappling with military dominance and civil unrest.