India and Myanmar to propose land swap to demarcate border?

A proposal for a land swap could emerge as a solution to the long-pending border demarcation in sensitive areas like Manipur's Chandel district. NDTV Saurabh Gupta As India works to secure its border areas and demarcate the boundary, reports have emerged that the Union government is examining an internal proposal to mutually exchange land with Myanmar, spanning approximately 1.44 square miles (about 3.7 square kilometers). Security analysts believe that India is thus preparing to sign a historic "boundary agreement" with Myanmar along the sensitive India-Myanmar border. When asked about speculation that India is attempting a land swap for border demarcation amid border fencing work, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, "There are some areas along the border between the two countries that are yet to be demarcated, and discussions are ongoing from both sides for those specific segments." The proposal for a land swap could provide a solution to the long-pending border demarcation in sensitive areas like Manipur's Chandel district and allow border fencing to continue at the necessary pace to address regional security challenges. While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that discussions are ongoing for unresolved border areas, there has been no official announcement yet regarding a final exchange. Since 2023, India has accelerated border fencing and regional infrastructure construction in the area, and a land swap could be a solution to eliminate security vulnerabilities arising from the unfenced border. India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometer (1,021-mile) border across four northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Of this 1,643 kilometers, the Arunachal Pradesh border is 520 kilometers, the Mizoram border is 510 kilometers, the Manipur border is 398 kilometers, and the Nagaland border is 215 kilometers. Since 2021, Myanmar's civil war and political instability have led to an influx of refugees, exacerbating ethnic tensions within Manipur, posing new challenges for India. Recent tensions have also delayed India's border fencing projects. In December 2025, parts of a newly constructed border fence were destroyed in the Moichang police station area of Chandel district, Manipur, and a case was registered based on the first information report after the incident. To prevent illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and the movement of cross-border insurgents, India is fencing the 398-kilometer international border in Manipur that it shares with Myanmar. To ensure the country's internal security and maintain the demographic composition of India's northeastern states bordering Myanmar, the Union government decided to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. The FMR, which previously allowed ethnic communities living along the border to travel up to 16 kilometers into each other's territory without visas or documents, was withdrawn to tighten security. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, stated that the Union government is determined to build impenetrable borders. In a post on X in February 2024, the Home Minister said, "A decision has been taken to fence the entire 1,643 km India-Myanmar border. A patrol road will also be constructed along the border to enhance surveillance." In the same post, the Home Minister further added, "Out of the total border length, 10 km in Moreh, Manipur, has been fenced. Additionally, two pilot projects for fencing are being undertaken through the Integrated Surveillance System (HSS). These will involve fencing 1 km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Furthermore, fencing work covering approximately 20 km in Manipur has also been approved and will commence soon." Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, a BJP Member of Parliament from Manipur, stated that the numerous obstacles in border fencing in the Manipur region are the primary reason for the slow progress of the project. He further added that the theft of fencing materials, damage to fence posts, and the discovery of mines and explosives in border areas have posed significant challenges to the fencing work. In March of this year, former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated, "As per the latest data submitted by the Ministry to the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, out of the total 1,643 km of fencing approved by the government, 390.39 km has been sanctioned, and only 43.75 km has been completed to date. Another 346.64 km is currently under construction. It is also noted that out of the 43 gates designated to regulate free movement, 20 are now operational." "With these advancements, we will be able to strictly curb illegal immigrants, and the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which includes biometrics as part of a stronger framework, is being prepared."