Michael Vance, nominee to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research and Myanmar’s military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Reuters)
Citing three people familiar with the matter, the latest meeting took place in Tokyo last week, marking the second round of talks between the two sides in a month, according to Reuters. The US delegation was led by Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance and reportedly included more than a dozen officials. The meeting followed a mid-September visit by Vance to Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s capital, where he met military-backed President Min Aung Hlaing. The discussions included efforts to secure the release of an American businessman and combat online scam networks targeting US citizens.
The renewed diplomatic outreach comes as Myanmar continues to grapple with a civil war that erupted after the military overthrew the elected government in February 2021. Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur said in July that two Indian delegations had visited the country to explore critical minerals, in December 2024 and February 2026. Reuters previously reported that India’s ministry of mines had asked state-owned IREL and private firm Midwest Advanced Materials to explore obtaining rare-earth samples from mines controlled by the KIA.
The military-backed administration, which consolidated its position through an election criticised by opponents and rights groups, faces resistance from pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed organisations that control significant areas of the country. The conflict has caused widespread displacement and left large parts of Myanmar outside the central government’s effective control. India is also exploring Myanmar’s rare-earth resources.