Preparations are on to hold free and fair general election: Myanmar PM tells India NSA Doval

Myanmar junta chiefGeneral Min Aung Hlaing told Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval that preparations were ongoingto hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election in Myanmar. This development was reported by the Myanmar News Agency on Saturday (July 27).

Indian NSA Doval met General Minin Nay Pyi Taw on Friday afternoon. The report said that the two cordially exchanged views on friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries, the political progress of Myanmar, the preparations to hold the general election, andmeasures of forging peace and stability in the border region.

Doval was in Myanmar, leading theIndian delegation at the 4th Annual Meeting of BIMSTECSecurity Chiefs that was being held in Naypyitaw.

Doval meets his Myanmarese counterpart

On Friday, Doval met with the Myanmar NSA Admiral Moe Aung. A report by the news agency PTI said that Doval was understood to haveconveyed New Delhi's concerns over the impact of violence and instability in Myanmar on its border with India.

Myanmar shares a 1,640 km-long border with several Indian states of northeast,including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.Myanmar has been witnessing widespread violent protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021.

Several parts of the country have been witnessing intense fighting between the military junta and resistance forces.