SHOULD THE FREE MOVEMENT REGIME BETWEEN INDIA AND MYANMAR REMAIN

THE CONTEXT: The Government of India is considering the abolition of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the 1,653-km India-Myanmar border. The FMR allows people to move unhindered within a defined territorial limit on both sides of the border. Though originally intended to facilitate traditional linkages, there are concerns over national security, illegal trade, and cross-border migrations.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE FMR:

1. Origins (1968)

• • The FMR came into existence in 1968 to accommodate ethnic and familial bonds across the border.
  • It initially permitted free movement up to 40 km across both sides.

 

2. Subsequent Amendments

• • 2004: The limit was reduced to 16 km.
  • 2016: Additional regulations were introduced (e.g., identity proof, limited stay duration).

 

3. Present Scenario

• • Despite the official restriction of 16 km, ground enforcement has often been lax.
  • Locals have historically moved across the border freely for trade, cultural events, and familial visits.

IMPACT ON BORDER COMMUNITIES

1. Economic Linkages

• • Border communities have traditionally relied on trade for livelihoods.
  • Goods such as areca nuts, textiles, and essential commodities move across the border, fostering local economies.

 

2. Socio-Cultural Ties

• • Strong ethnic linkages exist among the Mizos (Chin on the Myanmar side) and Nagas (across Nagaland and Myanmar), among others.
  • Familial ties predate modern-day boundaries; communities often consider the border an arbitrary imposition.

 

3. Humanitarian Angle

• • Instability in Myanmar (especially post-coup violence) has led to refugee inflows into Indian States such as Mizoram and Manipur.
  • Local communities play a major role in extending humanitarian assistance to displaced people

SECURITY CONCERNS

1. Migration and Unregulated Entry

• • The Indian government asserts that unchecked influx from Myanmar contributes to ethnic tensions, especially in Manipur.
  • Fears of infiltration by armed groups and refugees fleeing conflict zones.

 

2. Transnational Crimes

• • Smuggling of Contraband: Drugs (heroin, methamphetamine), gold, and other items transit through Mizoram and Manipur.
  • Armed Groups: Cross-border insurgencies and arms flow remain a challenge.

 

3. Government’s Perspective

• • Officials argue that scrapping the FMR could help curb illegal activities and migration that could destabilize northeastern States.
  • Proposed fence construction along the border to strengthen surveillance and control.

DEBATE ON FENCING THE BORDER

1. Challenges in Implementation

• • Terrain & Length: The rugged mountainous stretch of nearly 1,700 km makes physical barriers difficult.
  • Local Resistance: Communities living within a few kilometers of each other on both sides fear disruption of social and economic ties.

 

2. Effectiveness

• • Critics point out that fencing has not been foolproof in other places (e.g., U.S.-Mexico border).
  • The presence of organised crime networks and local pathways can render fences ineffective.

 

3. Political Ramifications

• • Potential to stoke demands for a unified ethnic homeland, particularly among groups that see the border as an arbitrary colonial vestige.
  • The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 (allowing use of forest area within 100 km of the international boundary for strategic projects) has heightened worries about loss of ancestral land.

THE BACKGROUND/THE DRIVERS

THE ISSUES:/THE CHALLENGES

THE WAY FORWARD:

Targeted Regulation and Infrastructure Development

1. Smart Border Management:

• • Install integrated check posts (ICPs) and deploy advanced surveillance (e.g., drones, motion sensors) at strategic points along the 1,653-km India-Myanmar border.
  • The Moreh ICP in Manipur has shown that streamlining customs and immigration checks under one facility can ease bottlenecks while ensuring security.

 

2. Border Roads and Connectivity:

• • Strengthen the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) with an emphasis on robust all-weather roads for faster troop and medical movement.
  • Provide alternative livelihood avenues, reducing illicit trade dependency.

Legalizing and Streamlining Select Cross-Border Trades

1. Dedicated Border Haats (Markets):

• • Inspired by India-Bangladesh “border haats” that have boosted livelihood, consider establishing regulated border trade points for commodities frequently smuggled.
  • Encourage local producers’ cooperatives to ensure fair prices.

 

2. Cross-Border Trade Agreements:

• • Negotiate simplified tariffs and quotas through bilateral discussions with Myanmar’s authorities.
  • Channel revenue gains into community development (schools, healthcare).

Inclusive Community Policing and Public-Driven Surveillance

1. Local Vigilance Committees:

• • Constitute committees that include tribal elders, women’s groups (e.g., Mothers’ Associations in Manipur), and village councils to monitor cross-border movements and report suspicious activity.
  • This fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for security.

 

2. Awareness Campaigns:

• • Inform local youth about the legal channels for trade and the consequences of contraband smuggling (drug addiction, violence).
  • Nagaland’s community-based drug de-addiction initiatives highlight how local involvement can significantly reduce drug peddling.

Humane Refugee Management and Humanitarian Corridors

1. Establish Formal Refugee Reception Centres:

• • Though India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it often abides by the principle of non-refoulement. Setting up dedicated transit camps with basic amenities and identity registration helps in tracking and managing refugee populations humanely.
  • Mizoram’s community-run shelters for displaced Chins demonstrate grassroots-level compassion, but they need formal support and oversight.

 

2. Coordination with International Agencies:

• • Collaborate with global organizations like the UNHCR to ensure medical aid, registration, and potential repatriation or relocation. This can reduce India’s unilateral burden and ensure oversight.

 

3. Confidence-Building with Myanmar:

• • Joint border liaison committees, including local administrative officials from both nations, can expedite the resolution of refugee and insurgent issues. The India-Myanmar Border Liaison Meetings are a precedent that can be strengthened.

Balanced Security Architecture with Technology Integration

1. Biometric Documentation and e-Permits:

• • Issue border resident cards or e-visas under the FMR framework, allowing short-term movement for trade or family visits, while retaining digital records for security checks.
  • Aadhaar-based or localized biometric checks have enhanced transparency in certain social-welfare schemes; a similar system can be adapted for border-control processes.

 

2. Real-Time Surveillance Integration:

• • Deploy integrated command-and-control centers linking BSF/Assam Rifles outposts with satellite imagery to track infiltration attempts.
  • Example: CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) pilot on the India-Pakistan border can offer lessons for the northeast.

 

3. Outcome-Based Assessments:

• • Periodic audits (six-month or annual) of infiltration incidents and contraband seizures to recalibrate policies swiftly.

 Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue and Gradual Consensus-Building

1. Inter-Ministerial Coordination:

• • Ministries of Home, External Affairs, DONER (Development of North Eastern Region), and Commerce must coordinate to align border security with the Act East Policy.
  • A specialized Indo-Myanmar Border Commission could be reactivated or set up to harmonize efforts.

 

2. Dialogue with Tribal Councils and State Governments:

• • Involve local leaders from Naga, Mizo, and Kuki-Chin communities in drafting new guidelines for regulated FMR. Their support is crucial for effective implementation and avoiding social unrest.

THE CONCLUSION:

A delicate balance must be struck between safeguarding national security and respecting historical linkages that sustain border communities. Complete free movement may not be tenable given the rising concerns about drug trafficking, armed insurgencies, and humanitarian inflows.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:

Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Discuss the pros and cons of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar in the context of the recent debate on national security, cross-border trade, and ethnic ties.

SOURCE:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-the-free-movement-regime-between-india-and-myanmar-remain/article69383147.ece

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