India and Myanmar are strengthening their energy ties, with multiple vital projects already in progress, says Abhay Thakur, India’s Ambassador to Myanmar. This growing partnership is set to move forward through strategic deals and cooperation in key areas like shipping, solar power, and trade.

In an interview with ANI on Friday, Ambassador Thakur expressed, “We have a number of reasons why India-Myanmar energy cooperation would be more intense in the future… A coastal shipping agreement, which is in the works, would make this energy cooperation, particularly gasoline and diesel supplies, attractive for Myanmar.” He also mentioned India’s efforts to strengthen trade with Myanmar, saying, “We are also working hard to increase the volume of the rupee chart settlement trade.”

Touching on renewable energy, the Ambassador stressed the value of ongoing collaboration, particularly in solar energy, “We also have collaboration, including in particular, in the solar energy sector under the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Power. All of this, put together, has the potential of boosting India-Myanmar energy cooperation.”

Alongside energy cooperation, Ambassador Thakur highlighted India’s swift humanitarian support after the powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, which took more than 3,000 lives. He pointed out that India was among the first countries to respond, sending essential relief materials within 24 hours.

“We were the first responders, providing a helping hand to Myanmar in their time of need within 24 hours,” Thakur stated. He further said, “Our assistance exceeds 1,000 tonnes of a range of HADR [Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief] material, including gen sets, kitchen sets, all kinds of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, food, and meals ready to eat. We’re also bringing in rice and cooking oil. We set up a field hospital for medicines, so there is a very wide-ranging response, and this has been noticed by the government and the people of Myanmar.”

The global community is also offering help to Myanmar. The Quad countries, India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, have committed more than USD 20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the country during its ongoing crisis.

In a joint statement, the Quad supported Myanmar and recognised the earthquake's devastating effects. The statement read, “We, the Quad partners, have so far committed humanitarian assistance estimated at a combined value of over USD 20 million. Through our funding and bilateral efforts, we are delivering relief supplies, deploying emergency medical teams, and supporting humanitarian partners working in Myanmar to provide care for those affected by the earthquake.”

The statement also expressed compassion for the heavy loss of lives and damage to infrastructure, especially considering Myanmar's already vulnerable humanitarian conditions.