India to Fence Myanmar Border, Ending Free Movement Regime

Guwahati, India – In a significant development, Home Minister Amit Shah announced during the passing out parade of Assam Police commandos in Guwahati that the Indian government will soon fence its 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar. The move aims to curb the free movement of individuals across the border and enhance security measures.

India shares its extensive border with Myanmar, traversing states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, these states operate under the Free Movement Regime (FMR), initiated in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy. The upcoming border fencing project follows a similar initiative along the India-Bangladesh border.

The announcement signals the end of the Free Movement Regime, which allowed residents within 16 km of the India-Myanmar border to travel between the two countries without a visa. Home Minister Shah emphasized that the fencing initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to reinforcing border security.

Shah stated, “The government is also reconsidering India’s Free Movement Regime (FMG) agreement with Myanmar and will soon end the free movement into India.” This decision comes a month after India expressed its security concerns to Myanmar, particularly regarding challenges along the border, including the influx of Myanmarese refugees into India.

The move to secure the India-Myanmar border reflects the government’s proactive approach to address security issues and control unauthorized movement across international boundaries. As the fencing project progresses, it is expected to reshape border dynamics and contribute to the overall security infrastructure of the region.