India-myanmar

Ethnic armed group 'captures' Myanmar town, controls border with Bangladesh

One of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmar's army has claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometer (168-mile) -long border with Bangladesh. The capture by the Arakan Army makes the group's control of the northern part of Rakhine state complete, and marks another advance in its bid for self-rule there. Rakhine has become a focal point for Myanmar's nationwide civil war, in which pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed forces seeking autonomy battle the country's military rulers, who took power in 2021 after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, told The Associated Press by text message from an undisclosed location late Monday that his group had seized the last remaining military outpost in Maungdaw on Sunday. Outpost commander Brig. Gen. Thurein Tun, was captured while attempting to flee t

Protest in Manipur against scrapping FMR, fencing India-Myanmar border

A demonstration was held in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Tuesday to protest the government's decision to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR). The demonstration, led by the United Zou Organisation (UZO), started at the 'Wall of Remembrance' around 11.30 am. Carrying posters and placards, the demonstrators raised slogans against the government's decision to scrap FMR and fence the international border. "No border fencing can our cultural ties," said a demonstrator. The demonstration was attended by Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip and Singngat MLA Chinlunthang, besides leaders of various Kuki-Zo tribes. A one-minute silence was also observed in remembrance of those killed in the ongoing ethnic violence in the state that has claimed over 250 lives since May last year. Leaders of the Kuki Zo Council, Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur and Hmar Inpui addressed the gathering. At the end of the programme, a memorandum addressed to Union Home

Kuki bodies oppose proposed fencing of India-Myanmar border, FMR scrapping

Kuki Inpi and Kuki Chiefs Association opposed the proposed fencing of the India-Myanmar border and scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), claiming these "threaten to infringe upon the cultural, traditional and historical rights of indigenous communities". The central government earlier this year decided to cancel the FMR, which allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without a visa. It also decided to erect a fence along the 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The two apex bodies of the Kuki-Zo community, in a joint statement issued on Saturday, claimed that the movement of people across the India-Myanmar border is a vital lifeline for maintaining social, cultural and family ties across the border. "The proposed fencing disregards the unique geographical and social conditions of this region, where borders cut across traditional lands and family .

Sri Lanka to Bangladesh: Is India facing a major geopolitical challenge?

Anura Kumara Dissanayake's swearing in as Sri Lanka's new President must have been closely followed in New Delhi, given that it came shortly after Sheikh Hasina's removal from power in Bangladesh

India extend unprecedented invite to Myanmar's anti-junta forces: Report

Speaking of the seminar, Sui Khar, vice chairman of one the ethnic rebel groups, the Chin National Front, said, "We are going to send representatives"

India, Myanmar discuss ways for bilateral trade through local currencies

India and Myanmar on Saturday discussed ways to promote bilateral trade through their local currencies rupee and kyat. The issue was discussed during the meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Kan Zaw, Myanmar's Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, on the sidelines of the 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting at Vientiane, Laos. "Discussed potential cooperation in areas like lentils, diesel, gasoline, electric vehicles, etc and ways to promote bilateral trade including through Rupee-Kyat currency mechanism, between our nations," Goyal said in a post on social media platform X. India-Maynmar bilateral trade stood at USD 1.75 billion in 2023-24. India is looking at promoting trade in local currencies with various other countries including UAE, African nations and Russia. Local currency trading would reduce transaction costs by eliminating the need to convert currencies twice. In July 2022, the Reserve Bank of India introduced a

Rs 31,000 crore to be spent to fence 1,643 km border with Myanmar

The entire 1,643 km porous India-Myanmar border, known for the smuggling of arms, ammunition and narcotics, will be fenced at a cost of Rs 31,000 crore, sources said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said fencing work had been completed in 30 km of the border, which he termed the root cause of the ethnic violence in Manipur. The Cabinet Committee on Security has, in principle, approved the construction of border fencing and roads along the 1,643-km international border between India and Myanmar at an approximate cost of Rs 31,000 crore, sources said. About 10 km of fencing has already been completed near Moreh and work is underway to fence another 21 km of the border in other areas of Manipur. The India-Myanmar border passes through Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The Central government has already scrapped the the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing close to the border to venture 16 km into each other's ..

India sends 32 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar under 'Sadbhav'

India on Tuesday sent 32 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar in a military transport aircraft under its operation 'Sadbhav' launched two days ago to assist Southeast Asian nations hit by a major typhoon. Various parts of Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam have been reeling under massive floods after Typhoon Yagi, said to be Asia's most powerful storm this year, hit the three countries. India has already sent relief supplies to Vietnam and Laos. On Sunday, India sent 10 tonnes of aid, including dry ration, clothing and medicines to Myanmar onboard the Indian naval ship INS Satpura. "#OperationSadbhav continues: India dispatches a second tranche of aid to Myanmar," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. "@IAF_mcc aircraft is carrying 32 tons of relief material including genset, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, water purification supplies and medicines for the people of Myanmar," he said. "Indian Navy is bringing additional 10 tons of ration for Myanmar," Jaiswa

Two Mizoram teens held by Myanmar militants return with shaved head, burns

With their heads tonsured and cigarette burns on bodies, two teenage boys returned home in Mizoram after being held captive by militants in adjoining Myanmar's Chin state for nearly a week, an Assam Rifles officer said on Sunday. The two boys, aged 16 and 15, were allegedly abducted by the Hualngoram unit of Chin Defence Force (CDF), one of several militant organisations fighting the military junta in Myanmar, on September 1 from Rih Dil Lake, a tourist spot in the neighbouring country near the Indian border, the officer said. "A group of five boys from Zokhawthar village in Mizoram had gone to Rih Dil Lake on motorcycles on September 1. On reaching there, they were stopped by cadres of CDF, who thrashed them because of a previous scuffle they had with some other boys from Zokhawthar," she said. Three of the five boys managed to escape and return to India while the two were held hostage by the CDF, the Assam Rifles officer said. "The two boys were kept in Rih Dil area for two days

Amid maritime disputes, Myanmar crisis, Asean meetings joined by US, China

Top diplomats from Southeast Asia convened Saturday in the Laotian capital with their powerful dialogue partners in the last of the three-day regional talks that have grappled with tensions over territorial claims in the South China Sea, escalating fighting in Myanmar, and regional rivalry. Meetings on Saturday will bring together in the same room allies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India and Australia to bolster their relationships and discuss key security issues and other regional affairs. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Saturday in Vientiane to meet with the ASEAN foreign ministers. He is also expected to meet on the sidelines with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, as both countries are looking to expand their influence in the region. Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith opened the first meeting of the day with China, Japan and South Korea by saying he hopes the cooperation framework, called ..

NSA Doval visits Myanmar, expresses concerns over ongoing violence

NSA Ajit Doval met his Myanmarese counterpart Admiral Moe Aung and is understood to have conveyed New Delhi's concerns over the impact of violence and instability in Myanmar on its border with India. Doval is in Myanmarese capital Naypyidaw to attend a meeting of security chiefs of member nations of BIMSTEC grouping, according to the Indian embassy in Yangon. Myanmar has been witnessing wide-spread violent protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021. Several parts of Myanmar have been witnessing intense fighting between the military junta and resistance forces. The resistance forces have already captured several towns. "NSA Shri Ajit Doval is leading the Indian delegation at the 4th Annual Meeting of #BIMSTEC Security Chiefs being held in Naypyitaw today. He met with the Myanmar NSA Admiral Moe Aung yesterday, and BIMSTEC Security Chiefs called on Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing," the Indian embassy said in

India supports return of democracy in Myanmar: EAM to Myanmarese minister

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday told his Myanmarese counterpart U Than Shwe that India supports the return of democracy in Myanmar even as he strongly pressed for the early return of Indians "unlawfully" detained by gangs involved in cyber scams in Myawaddy town. At a meeting with U Than Shwe, Jaishankar also raised the issue of flow of illegal narcotics, arms trade and activities of insurgent groups along the Indo-Myanmar border. The talks took place on the sidelines of a retreat session of the foreign ministers of member nations of BIMSTEC grouping in Delhi. "Met with DPM and FM U Than Swe of Myanmar on the sidelines of BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat. Shared our concerns regarding border stability and flow of displaced persons," Jaishankar said on 'X'. "Also spoke about issues of illegal narcotics and arms trade and activities of insurgent groups. Pressed strongly for the early return of Indians unlawfully detained by cyber scam gangs," he said. "India ...

Best of BS Opinion: Monsoon relief, Delhi's government gap & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Myanmar and regional security

The civil war in the country has spilled over into India and the time may have come to review our tacit support to the junta

Nation's security top priority: Jaishankar on Indo-Myanmar border fencing

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the Centre decided to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and end the Free Movement Regime (FMR) because the government gives top priority to the country's security. He said this while speaking to reporters after releasing the BJP manifesto in Aizawl. Thousands of people from Myanmar have taken refuge in various north-eastern states, especially in Mizoram, after fleeing their country following a military coup in February 2021. "I think the security of our country, security of our states, including Mizoram, require us to take certain precautions. But the precautions that we are taking right now are in response to a certain situation. Even right now our neighbour is going through a very difficult phase. If things were normal in Myanmar, this would not have happened," Jaishankar said. He said that the Centre is very sensitive to the interests of people, traditions, customs and relationships across the border. "Right now it is importan

Mizoram adopts resolution against Centre's move to fence Myanmar border

It urged the Union government to instead take steps to ensure that Zo ethnic people, "who have been divided in different countries, are unified under one administrative unit"

Mizoram NGO urges govt to reconsider decision to fence India-Myanmar border

The Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) has urged the Centre to reconsider its decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with the neighbouring country. In a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, NGOCC, a conglomerate of major civil society organisations and student bodies, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), expressed concerns over the Centre's decisions in this regard. "Being one of the signatories of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007, we believe that our country would have taken measures to assert the rights of indigenous peoples who are divided by international border, as stated in Article 36 of UNDRIP. "But we are astonished by the Centre's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) as well as its attempt to fence the border instead of maintaining and developing relations between the peoples living on both sides of the ...

Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar scrapped: Amit Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah said the decision was taken to maintain the demographic structure of India's northeastern states bordering Myanmar

Manipur CM thanks Modi, Shah for decision to scrap India-Myanmar FMR

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for scrapping the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) and for their committment to secure the border. Earlier in the day, Shah said the Centre has decided to scrap the FMR to ensure the country's internal security and maintain the demographic structure of the Northeastern states. The FMR allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents. Taking to X, Singh said, "Immensely grateful to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Hon'ble HM Shri Amit Shah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the FMR between India and Myanmar, as recommended by the Minister of Home Affairs, India, is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States." "This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening

Indo-Myanmar border fence will sever ethnic ties, say Kuki-Zo people

The Centre's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border has evoked mixed reactions with the Kuki-Zo people claiming that the move will sever ethnic ties and Meitei organisations hailing the step saying it will check movement of unscrupulous elements from across the border. The reactions came a day after the announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on X that the Centre had decided to fence the Indo-Myanmar border. "It has been decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometre-long Indo-Myanmar border. To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved," Shah had said. Reacting to the move, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the apex students' body of Mizoram, said fencing the border will divide the Zo ethnic people between the two countries and bring an end to the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The FMR allows people living on either side of the border enter up to 16 km of each other's country without needing a visa and stay up to two weeks. Th