In a significant move to bolster internal security and preserve the demographic integrity of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the termination of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. This decision comes against the backdrop of escalating conflict between Myanmar’s ruling army and three armed ethnic minority groups following the military coup in 2021.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, underscored PM Modi’s commitment to border security, stating, “It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders.” He emphasized that the scrapping of FMR is crucial to safeguarding India’s internal security and maintaining the demographic structure of the North Eastern States.
“Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR,” the Union Home Minister added.
In parallel, the Ministry of External Affairs recently has issued a travel advisory cautioning against travel to Myanmar’s Rakhine state due to the deteriorating security situation. Disruption of telecommunications, including landlines, coupled with severe shortages of essential commodities, has exacerbated concerns over the safety of Indian citizens in the region.
In light of these developments, the Ministry urged the Indian citizens against traveling to Rakhine State. Furthermore, it also asked those already present in the region to leave the state immediately, ensure their safety amidst the escalating conflict and precarious security conditions.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a media statement earlier this month, highlighted India’s deep-seated concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. “As a neighboring country and friend of Myanmar, India has long advocated for an end to violence and the transition of Myanmar towards an inclusive federal democracy,” stated Jaiswal.
It is noteworthy that Myanmar has been embroiled in a state of civil unrest since the military coup on February 1, 2021. The coup marked the abrupt end of a decade of democracy and economic reforms, triggering widespread chaos and uprisings by armed ethnic groups across the country.
Significantly, to ascertain their control and curb the growing dissent across the nation, the Myanmar military has been using airstrikes targeting its opponents and those carrying out an armed struggle against the ruling regime.
Recently, the United States has imposed additional sanctions on Myanmar, targeting key entities and individuals associated with the military junta. The sanctions aimed to curtail sources of revenue that support the regime’s military activities against civilians and those who provide material and support for arms production.
