The distinctive locale of the abode of the Angh (chief) of Longwa village within Nagaland’s Mon district has garnered considerable attention from the media. One half of the domicile lies within India’s borders while the other half extends into Myanmar’s territory. The culinary quarters find themselves situated within Myanmar, whereas the sleeping chambers find their place within India. Essentially, the household indulges in meals within Myanmar’s confines while finding repose within the Indian territory.

Likewise, during the congregational gatherings for Sunday worship at Longwa’s church, half of the attendees assemble within India’s jurisdiction, while the remaining half find themselves on Myanmar’s soil. The Angh’s residence and the church at Longwa serve as exemplars of the prevalent notion among the village populace, suggesting that the international demarcation between India and Myanmar remains largely theoretical. This perception isn’t unique to Longwa alone; it resonates among the denizens of other northeastern states sharing borders with Myanmar. There exist communities and familial units residing on either side of the border.

India and Myanmar share an international boundary stretching over 1,643 kilometers, tracing through the northeastern states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Given the mutual reliance among inhabitants dwelling on either side of the border, both the Indian and Myanmar governments permitted cross-border movements without necessitating visas for specific durations. However, this informal arrangement was formalized in 2018 following the signing of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement between India and Myanmar.

Nevertheless, New Delhi’s resolution to suspend the FMR in light of the ongoing conflict between ethnic militia factions and Myanmar’s military regime has sparked substantial debate.

Now, what prompts the inception of the FMR?

The origins of this regimen can be traced back to the late 19th century when both nations were subjects of the British Empire. This regulation facilitated unrestricted mobility across borders within British dominions. Post-independence in 1947 (India) and 1948 (Myanmar), the two nations continued this accord under a revised bilateral treaty in 1967.

However, it was in 2018 when India and Myanmar institutionalized the FMR as part of New Delhi’s Act East Policy, promoting cross-border movements of individuals within a 16-kilometer radius without necessitating visas. Travelers venturing beyond this radius are mandated to possess valid passports and fulfill other immigration formalities. The FMR streamlines mobility and interpersonal exchanges for residents inhabiting border regions of both countries, enabling them to reunite with kin and engage in economic pursuits.

Residents residing along the border are required to obtain a one-year border pass to sojourn in the neighboring nation. This initiative aims to facilitate local cross-border trade, enhance accessibility to education and healthcare amenities for border inhabitants, and fortify diplomatic relations. Indian nationals can stay up to 72 hours within Myanmar’s 16-kilometer perimeter without undergoing formalities. Conversely, Myanmar citizens are permitted a 14-day stay within India’s 16-kilometer boundary without bureaucratic hindrances.

The populace of Mizoram and Nagaland, in particular, has reaped considerable benefits from the FMR pact. The Chin populace of Myanmar and the Kuki populace of India and Bangladesh share kinship ties with the Mizos, with a significant portion of Mizo migrants in Myanmar assimilating into the Chin community. All these ethnic groups belong to the broader Zo community. In Nagaland, individuals primarily hailing from the Khiamniungan and Konyak tribes inhabit both sides of the border.

Hence, the announcement by the Indian Government regarding the suspension of the FMR last month and the decision to erect a barricade along the India-Myanmar border faced vehement opposition from the populace and state administrations of Mizoram and Nagaland. Conversely, the populace of Manipur, particularly the Meitei majority, along with the Manipur state administration and the Arunachal Pradesh state government, welcomed this initiative.

So, what impels the Indian Government to suspend the FMR?

On February 8, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the termination of the FMR between India and Myanmar to safeguard the nation’s internal security and preserve the demographic composition of India’s northeastern states bordering Myanmar.

“It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s unwavering commitment to safeguard our borders; hence, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to annul the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to fortify the nation’s internal security and preserve the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar,” articulated Home Minister Amit Shah on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“As the Ministry of External Affairs is presently in the process of nullifying it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.”

Manipur, in particular, has borne the brunt of the adverse repercussions of the FMR. Following the coup d’état in Myanmar in 2021 and the ensuing skirmishes between ethnic militia groups and the military junta, there has been a surge in the influx of illegal migrants, predominantly from the Chin and Kuki communities in Myanmar, potentially straining resources and affecting local demographics.