CNI News
26 September 2025
If some form of settlement is reached between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw, the China-India connectivity route will be beneficial for Myanmar, said Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), in an interview with CNI News.
Following Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to China, officials from the Union Government and the Tatmadaw have been observed meeting more frequently with Chinese and Indian authorities. These meetings were mainly related to the China-India connectivity route, in which Kachin State plays a crucial role, according to Colonel Khun Okkar.
He stated: “The main link for China and India is through Kachin. Regarding that route, the Chairman of the Military Commission is also directly involved. Since the road passes through Kachin State, the Kachin side wants to assert its authority and influence over its territory. At this stage, if some kind of ceasefire agreement between the KIO/KIA and the Military Commission, or cooperation based on amendments and additions to the NCA drafted by KIO leaders, can be reached, then the China-India connectivity route will be beneficial for our country.”
KIA troops
On September 16, 2025, Myanmar Prime Minister U Nyo Saw met Chinese Vice President Han Qian in Nanning, China. Likewise, on September 10, 2025, Lieutenant General Ko Ko Oo, Commander of the Bureau of Special Operations-1 of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, met with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi.
On September 12, a five-member delegation led by Lt. Gen. Ko Ko Oo also visited the Indian Army’s Eastern Command headquarters, where they met Eastern Command Commander Lt. Gen. R.C. Tiwari and other senior officials.
During the Senior General’s trip to China, discussions included the renovation of the Ledo Road, the possible resumption of the Myitsone Dam project, the reopening of China-Myanmar border trade, cooperation on India-Myanmar mineral extraction, security matters, and strengthening bilateral relations.
The Ledo Road connects China and India through Myanmar, with Kachin State being central to the route. If this route becomes viable, Myitkyina could emerge as a strategic hub, said Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), in an interview with CNI News.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi
He stated: “That would be a good sign for the development of Myanmar. For the progress of the nation, it would be better if there were no armed groups opposing the state. That’s my view. But given the current situation, if the government talks with the KIA, instead of focusing on resource sharing and power sharing, they should first prioritize stable peace and then move toward development in Kachin State. If the development of the state is emphasized and KIA rejects it, the people will oppose them because the public strongly desires progress. Right now, ordinary people are the ones suffering the most in the war. They are eager to escape hardship. So instead of negotiating over resources and natural wealth, it would be better to first establish peace and then present development plans to discuss and cooperate on.”
During his China trip, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vice President Han Qian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo, the ASEAN Secretary-General, Kazakh President, and other international leaders.
