India has expressed “deep concern” over the execution of four pro-democracy activists by the Myanmar junta, which has already prompted widespread outrage around the world, the Wire reports.

“We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a weekly briefing on 28 July.

Responding to a query, he said that the “rule of law and democratic process must be upheld.”

Bagchi said that as a friend of the people of Myanmar, they will continue to support Myanmar’s return to democracy and stability.

On Monday, July 25, the Myanmar junta announced that it had executed four democracy activists accused of helping to carry out “terror acts.”

The four executed are democracy campaigner Kyaw Min Yu, former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. Both Kyaw Min Nu and Phyo Zeya Thaw were political allies of Aung San Suu Kyi, the former state counsellor and Nobel laureate currently imprisoned in Naypyitaw.