Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from May 9
(MoeMaKa), May 10, 2026
What did we learn from the interview between the ULA/AA leader and an Indian journalist?
In recent months, Indian journalist Rajiv Bhattacharyya traveled to an area inside Myanmar controlled by the ULA/AA (United League of Arakan/Arakan Army) and conducted an in-person interview with its leader, Major General Tun Myat Naing.
This marks the first time that ULA/AA leader Tun Myat Naing has given a face-to-face interview to a foreign media outlet.
The interview covered a wide range of topics—from how he became a political and military leader, to the Arakan Army’s military successes, potential talks with Myanmar’s military regime, pressure from China, relations with Rakhine State, Bangladesh, and India. Some questions and comments regarding the National Unity Government (NUG) were also included, though his responses remained general and diplomatic in tone.
He avoided answering certain questions related to specific military objectives and current operational situations.
When asked about the National Unity Government, he responded briefly and diplomatically, stating that the NUG plays an important role and that the ULA/AA respects it. However, there was no direct discussion about whether there is cooperation between the ULA/AA and the NUG. The journalist did not press this point, and Tun Myat Naing did not elaborate. The ULA/AA has neither participated in the NUCC (National Unity Consultative Council), formed after the 2021 coup, nor in the recently established coalition known as SCEF, which includes ethnic armed groups, federal units, and women’s representatives.
Although the ULA/AA does not have a formal liberated base area in Myanmar’s northeast, it does maintain armed units there. Even if China were to exert pressure on the ULA/AA, the lack of a shared border means such pressure would likely be directed at other ethnic armed groups operating in coordination with the ULA/AA in the region.
For the ULA/AA, relations with Bangladesh and India appear more important than relations with China. Tun Myat Naing expressed hope for cooperation with Bangladesh and signaled that Bangladesh should avoid supporting Rohingya armed groups operating along the border. At the same time, regarding the Rohingya refugee repatriation crisis, he suggested that the neighboring government needs to accept the “realities on the ground.”
Interpreting his phrase “realities on the ground,” it likely implies that Bangladesh should recognize the ULA/AA—which currently controls much of Rakhine State—as a legitimate counterpart in discussions about Rohingya repatriation. So far, however, Bangladesh has not engaged in direct talks with the ULA/AA on border security or trade, aside from accepting the return of Bangladeshi fishermen detained by the group for crossing into its territory. Reports of meetings between ULA/AA representatives and Bangladeshi officials during Bangladesh’s 2025 interim government period led to objections from Myanmar’s military regime, after which Bangladesh appears to have avoided similar engagements.
Regarding China, when the journalist framed the issue as “Chinese pressure,” Tun Myat Naing rejected the characterization, saying he does not view it as pressure. He noted that China seeks stability in Myanmar and that all countries act to protect their own interests. It can be inferred that the ULA/AA intends to avoid direct confrontation with China or publicly blaming it.
On the possibility of talks or a ceasefire with the military regime, he stated that political dialogue is impossible as long as airstrikes against civilians continue. While the military may want to negotiate from a position of strength, he made clear that the ULA/AA would not yield under pressure from such attacks.
Regarding relations with India, he said the ULA/AA is ready to cooperate with India in countering instability caused by support for certain Rohingya armed groups. He also stated that the ULA/AA could assist with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. Prior to the 2020 election, there was an incident in which ULA/AA forces detained Indian experts working on the Kaladan project, along with an NLD lawmaker traveling by boat from Paletwa. One of the detained Indian nationals died in custody, while another and the lawmaker were later released.
In summary, in this interview with an Indian journalist, ULA/AA leader Tun Myat Naing primarily conveyed the group’s positions and messages toward neighboring countries—especially Bangladesh and India—rather than focusing on Myanmar’s military regime or domestic public. The interview appears to be aimed at encouraging engagement and building relations with these two neighboring governments.