India-Myanmar Border Fencing

India-Myanmar Border Fencing

• The Indian Home Minister has decided to fence the entire 1,643 km India-Myanmar border to restrict the free movement of people.
• The border traverses states such as Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Free Movement Regime (FMR)

• FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between India and Myanmar that allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
• FMR was implemented in 2018 as part of the Indian government's Act East policy.

Significance of FMR

• FMR fosters people-to-people interactions and boosts local trade and business activities.
• The area has a rich tradition of cross-border commerce facilitated by customs and border haats.

Importance of India-Myanmar Relationship

• Myanmar serves as a land bridge connecting South Asia to Southeast Asia.
• The proximity of Myanmar to India's northeastern states establishes a strategic link and facilitates regional connectivity.

Bay of Bengal Connectivity

• The maritime boundary shared by India and Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal enhances opportunities for maritime cooperation, fostering economic and strategic collaboration.

Regional Power Balancing

• A strong relationship with Myanmar helps India avoid regional power imbalances that could arise from the influence of other major players.
• India's proactive engagement with Myanmar serves as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region.

Strategic Significance of Myanmar

• Myanmar is a strategically significant neighbour, located in a neighbourhood with repercussions for its five neighbouring countries: China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh, and India.
• The "Neighbourhood First" policy underscores the significance of cultivating a robust, cooperative, and mutually advantageous association with Myanmar.

Act East Policy and Multilateral Engagement

• Myanmar is a key component of India's Act East Policy, a diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the Asia-Pacific region.
• Myanmar's membership in SAARC, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Mekong Ganga Cooperation has introduced a regional dimension to bilateral relations.

Bilateral Trade and Energy Cooperation

• India ranks as Myanmar's fifth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade at USD 1.03 billion in 2021-22.
• Myanmar holds significance for India's energy security, with an energy portfolio of over USD 1.2 billion, making it the largest recipient of India's investment in the oil and gas sector in Southeast Asia.

Investment in Infrastructure

• Infrastructure projects, such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the Sittwe Port, aim to boost connectivity, trade, and investment.
• These projects demonstrate India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional cooperation.