India-Myanmar defense dialogue to be held in North East amid border security concerns

“The meeting will be chaired by Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh and his Myanmar counterpart, who is expected to come to India with a delegation for the talks,” the official said. File | Photo credit: PIB via PTI

India and Myanmar will hold their key dialogue on defense cooperation in the Northeast for the first time, with the third annual meeting scheduled to be held in Guwahati on October 7, 2026.

The talks are expected to focus on training, capacity building and security issues along the India-Myanmar border.

A senior defense ministry official confirmed that the third annual India-Myanmar defense cooperation meeting will be held in Guwahati, underscoring the growing focus on security challenges in the Northeast.

The meeting will be chaired by Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh and his Myanmar counterpart, who is expected to arrive in India with a delegation for the talks, the official said.

Porous edge

Security along the 1,643-km long India-Myanmar border is expected to figure prominently in the discussions. The porous border has long posed challenges to security and stability in the northeast, including concerns over insurgent movements, narcotics and illegal arms trafficking.

The talks will also cover training initiatives and capacity building between the armed forces of the two countries, among other issues related to bilateral defense cooperation.

The decision to hold the dialogue in Guwahati assumes significance as the Northeast shares a land border with Myanmar and has been directly affected by developments across the border.

The region faced challenges arising from the activities of insurgent groups, drug trafficking and the movement of weapons and personnel through difficult and permeable terrain.

India and Myanmar held the second annual Defense Dialogue in Naypyitaw in September last year. Discussions covered educational initiatives, capacity building, post-earthquake relief and cultural exchange of goodwill. The meeting was jointly chaired by Mr Singh and the Chief of Myanmar Armed Forces (Training), Major General Kyaw Ko Htike.

The upcoming meeting in Guwahati is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review ongoing defense cooperation and discuss measures to strengthen coordination on border and regional security issues.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 22:47 IST