The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the immediate suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. The free movement regime allows people from both countries to travel visa-free across borders for a few kilometers.
Union Home Minister Myanmar emphasized the importance of securing India’s borders and maintaining the demographic structure of the Northeastern states in a post on social media platform X.
He said: “It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.”
The decision comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Myanmar following a military coup in 2021. The influx of hundreds of civilians and troops into India’s Northeastern states, where communities across the border share ethnic and familial ties, has raised concerns about the potential impact on India’s demographic balance and internal stability.
Last week, Myanmar’s military rulers extended a state of emergency in response to a pro-democracy rebellion, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the junta in governing the country.