India Considers Border Territory Exchange With Myanmar Amid Security Concerns

The Indian government is reportedly examining a proposal to exchange territory with neighboring Myanmar to finalize the demarcation of a section of their shared border that has remained unresolved for decades. An official document seen by The Diplomat indicates that the proposal concerns an area of approximately 1.4 square miles between border pillars 65 and 68, situated in Manipur’s Chandel district and contiguous to Myanmar’s Kabaw Valley in Sagaing Region. The demarcation is planned to be completed within three months. The rationale behind expediting this border demarcation stems from India's urgent need to fence its border with Myanmar to curb cross-border criminal activities, including illegal immigration and the movement of insurgents. A sum of $3.22 billion has already been sanctioned for the construction of a fence and a patrol track along the entire 1,643 km border. Manipur shares a 398 km border with Myanmar. While the boundary demarcation was initially conducted by a Joint Boundary Commission after a 1967 agreement, certain stretches, particularly around Molcham, Moreh, and Choro Khunou, have been subject to disputes. A cabinet subcommittee formed by the Manipur government in 2000 to resolve boundary controversies did not yield any recommendations. Past incidents include reports of residents being prevented from building new houses by Myanmar residents and army personnel, and allegations of the Indian government relocating a border pillar approximately three km into Manipur. The Indian government has consistently clarified in Parliament that there are no border disputes with Myanmar and that both countries are committed to the 1967 India-Myanmar Boundary Agreement. However, the current border exchange proposal reportedly came up for discussion during Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing's visit to India last month. According to a government official, discussions were held regarding the erection of "auxiliary pillars" and new pillars in the Molcham area between border pillars 65 and 68. Information regarding this new demarcation plan has not yet been received in response to a Right to Information Act (RTI) application. Given the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, which has cross-border connections, it remains to be seen whether this plan can be implemented in a time-bound manner without triggering further controversies. Source: The Diplomat Indonesia