The United States has held another round of talks with Myanmar’s military-backed authorities in Tokyo, marking a second meeting between the sides in a month as Washington pursues renewed diplomatic engagement.
According to a Reuters report published on Friday, October 16, US representatives and Myanmar’s authorities held discussions the previous week. The meetings come amid a shift in Washington’s approach towards the country following years of limited engagement with its military leadership.
The talks follow an earlier round of discussions in September, as the United States seeks to address issues involving Myanmar, including scam centres and access to rare earth minerals, according to reports on the diplomatic contacts.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a political and security crisis since the military seized power in February 2021, overthrowing the elected government and triggering widespread resistance and armed conflict.
The military authorities have faced international criticism over their handling of the crisis, while sanctions and diplomatic pressure have been used by several governments in response to the situation.
The renewed discussions signal an effort by Washington to engage directly with Myanmar’s military-backed leadership on issues of mutual concern.
However, the full details of the latest talks and any agreements reached were not immediately clear from the available reporting.
The development comes as Myanmar continues to face questions over its political future, security situation and relations with international partners.
