India and Myanmar will hold their third annual defence dialogue in Guwahati on October 7, 2026, marking the first time the talks will take place in the Northeast. The meeting, confirmed by a senior Defence Ministry official, will focus on training, capacity building and security issues along the India-Myanmar border, which spans 1,643 km.

The decision to hold the dialogue in Guwahati underscores the region’s strategic importance, as it shares a land border with Myanmar and has been directly affected by cross-border developments. Security concerns include the movement of insurgents, drug trafficking and the illicit flow of arms and personnel through porous terrain. The talks are expected to review ongoing defence cooperation and discuss measures to strengthen coordination on regional security.

The meeting will be chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and his Myanmar counterpart, who is expected to arrive in India with a delegation. The dialogue follows the second annual meeting held in Naypyitaw in September 2025, which covered training initiatives, capacity building, post-earthquake assistance and cultural exchanges. The 2026 meeting in Guwahati is seen as an opportunity to deepen bilateral defence ties and address persistent security challenges.

The porous nature of the India-Myanmar border has long posed difficulties for security and stability in the Northeast. Insurgent groups, drug trafficking and the movement of arms have been persistent issues, prompting increased focus on border security. The talks are expected to explore ways to enhance cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, including joint training and capacity-building initiatives.

The meeting is part of broader efforts to strengthen regional security and counter cross-border threats. While the details of the agenda are outlined, the specific outcomes of the dialogue remain unknown. The talks are expected to provide a platform for both nations to address shared security concerns and enhance bilateral cooperation.

The decision to hold the dialogue in Guwahati reflects the growing emphasis on security challenges in the Northeast. The region has faced significant threats from insurgent activity and cross-border crime, prompting increased attention from both India and Myanmar. The meeting is seen as a step towards improving coordination and addressing these complex security issues.