Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing visits Laos for ASEAN relations

Kathmandu. Myanmar's former military ruler and current President Min Aung Hlaing has reached Laos on Friday for his first official visit to an ASEAN member state after assuming the responsibility of a civilian president. Analysts have interpreted this visit as his attempt to improve international recognition and regional relations.

Min Aung Hlaing, who took power in 2021 by overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi through a military 'coup', ruled directly under military leadership for five years. After the ban on Suu Kyi's party, suppression of the opposition, and elections being stopped in areas with rebel influence, he came into the role of civilian president in April this year.

According to details released by the President's Information Team, he reached Laos on Friday morning along with his wife Kyu Kyu Hla. Local media reported that his state visit will last for three days.

During this, he is scheduled to hold meetings with Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The President's office stated that open and cordial discussions will be held with the objective of further strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries.

This is Min Aung Hlaing's third foreign visit after assuming the post of civilian president. He had visited India and China before this. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has kept Myanmar isolated from most activities since the military 'coup', still has no common stance on relations with the new administration.

Some member states appear willing to resume dialogue by viewing steps such as the decision to move the 81-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi from jail to house arrest as positive signs. However, other member states are adopting a cautious approach, keeping in mind the fact that the main figure of the 2021 military intervention is still at the center of power, according to analysts.