Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 1: India and Myanmar on Monday discussed the rising threat of cyber scam networks operating along Myanmar’s border regions, with New Delhi stressing that the issue extends beyond bilateral security concerns and requires coordinated regional action.
The matter was taken up during talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing, as both sides reviewed broader cooperation across security, trade and development.
Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India has been working closely with Myanmar to dismantle cyber scam compounds operating in border areas, particularly in southeastern Myanmar, where many foreign nationals, including Indians, have been trafficked.
According to official data shared during the briefing, India has successfully repatriated 2,411 citizens from such scam-linked compounds over the past 18 months. However, around 150 Indian nationals are still believed to be stranded in these locations, and efforts are ongoing to secure their return.
Misri said many of those trapped in these networks were victims of trafficking routes that often pass through third countries before reaching scam centres, highlighting the transnational nature of the crime. He emphasised that tackling the issue requires not only sustained bilateral coordination but also broader regional cooperation across Southeast Asia.
Officials noted that cyber scam operations in border regions have increasingly become a security concern, with organised networks exploiting weak governance zones to run large-scale online fraud and human trafficking rackets.
During the talks, both sides also agreed to further strengthen India–Myanmar relations across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, connectivity, development partnerships, capacity building, and border management.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s willingness to support peace and stability efforts in Myanmar and shared India’s experience in federal governance and economic development as part of ongoing engagement.
The discussions underscored the growing importance of security cooperation between the two countries, particularly in addressing emerging cyber-enabled transnational crimes that are affecting the wider region.