President of Myanmar’s military-backed government visits India

BANGKOK (AP) — The leader of Myanmar’s military-backed government embarked Saturday on an official visit to India, one of the country’s key regional partners, for high-level meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

It is the first time Min Aung Hlaing has traveled to the neighboring country since he was sworn into office as president in April following an election that critics say was orchestrated to maintain the military’s tight grip on power. His last visit to India was in 2019 as military chief.

India has maintained ties with Myanmar’s military-backed administrations despite Western sanctions imposed after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 and launched a crackdown on opponents that evolved into a nationwide armed conflict and humanitarian crisis.

State-run MRTV television said Min Aung Hlaing departed on a flight from the capital, Naypyitaw, Saturday morning and landed at Gaya International Airport in India’s eastern state of Bihar, near Bodh Gaya, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site.

The report said he will have meetings with India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as government officials and representatives from business organizations, to discuss ways to strengthen ties and foster cooperation in the economic, religious, cultural and social sectors.

The president, who is accompanied by members of his Cabinet, will also visit prominent infrastructure facilities during the trip, MRTV said.

India shares a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. The neighboring country hosts thousands of refugees from Myanmar, many of whom fled fighting in northwestern Chin state and other conflict-affected areas.

Myanmar is strategically important to India’s security interests. The two countries have cooperated on border security and intelligence sharing to combat insurgent groups operating out of the border region.

Critics have expressed concern and charged that Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to India will do more to legitimize the military-backed government.

“We condemn India’s decision to host Min Aung Hlaing, who is a war criminal waging a campaign of terror against the Myanmar people,” said Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for the Justice For Myanmar activist group, in an emailed statement on Friday.

She said India has long supported Myanmar’s military through military training programs and business ties.

“India must change course, stop awarding false legitimacy to the junta, stop profiting from the military’s campaign of terror against the people, and instead support the Myanmar people who are struggling and sacrificing daily for federal democracy," said Yadanar Maung.

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing offers candles in front of a Buddha statue as he visits Bodh Gaya, in India on May 30. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP)

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, left, receives flowers from Bihar State Governor and retired Lt- General Syed Ata Hasnian, right, upon arrival at Gaya airport, India on May 30. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP Photo)

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, center, inspects guard of honors upon arrival at Gaya airport, near Bodh Gaya, India on May 30. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP)

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, right, talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, left, during their meeting in New Deli, India. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP)

In this photo provided by Myanmar Military True News Information Team on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, right, shakes hands with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, left, during their meeting in New Deli, India on May 30. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP)

GALLOWAY, N.J. (AP) — Soo Bin Joo thrived in a raging wind off the Atlantic Ocean inlets Friday for a 3-under 68, closing with a long two-putt birdie on the 18th hole and watching her lead to grow to four shots by the end of a taxing day at the ShopRite LPGA.

Joo, whose only professional win was on the Epson Tour two years ago, finished two different rounds at Seaview Hotel at 8-under 134.

“I was barely making pars on the golf course today and yesterday was like going for birdies on every single hole,” Joo said. “So different game plan and a different mindset. I think that put me in a good position today.”

Japanese twins Chizzy and Aki Iwai each scratched out a 68 and were in the group of players four shots behind that included Celine Boutier of France (72), Somi Lee of South Korea (69) and Israeli player Laetitia Beck, who started with a one-shot lead and tumbled to a 75,

“Today was extremely windy, so definitely was much harder to judge club selections, and putts were also much harder,” Beck said. “That’s where I pretty much struggled today. I didn’t make putts.”

That's wasn't a problem for Joo, who took only 25 putts. She dropped only one shot, on the opening hole, and wondered if it was a sign of what was to come.

“I almost shank my 3-wood on the first tee. I mean, it looked way bad because of the wind,” Joo said. “I knew that it was going to play as a different golf course, like a totally different golf course comparing to yesterday, so I was trying to stay mentally calm and also physically calm, too.”

The wind not only made some of the holes on the Bay course play longer, even the holes with a helping wind were difficult in trying to judge the distance.

Eight players failed to break 80, while 11 players broke 70, most of them in the morning before the wind began to strengthen.

Charley Hull, at No. 7 the only player from the top 10 in the world, followed a 74 with a 75 and missed the cut. The ShopRite LPGA is one of two LPGA tournaments played over 54 holes.

This field is on the weaker side mainly because of scheduling. The New Jersey tournament is a week before the U.S. Women's Open across the country at Riviera in Los Angeles.

The cut came at 3-over 145.

Joo is the No. 252 player in the world, with her best success coming in the fall when she is trying to get back a full card. Now she has a four-shot lead as she goes for her first LPGA title.

“I started playing golf because I want to win a tournament on LPGA, so it will be super fun, very exciting,” she said. “But right now I just want to get a hot shower. So cold, yeah. Freezing.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Flag on the 4th hold for the Shop Rite LPGA Classic waves in the breeze during the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic golf tournament, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Galloway, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Soo Bin Joo tees off from the 6th hold during the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic golf tournament, Friday, May 29, 2026, in Galloway, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)