Unlocking the Indo-Myanmar Border: Challenges and Solutions of the Free Movement Regime

Daily Current Affairs : 29-July-2023

The Indo-Myanmar border stretches over 1,643 km, dividing the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Free Movement Regime (FMR) was established in 2018 as an agreement between India and Myanmar, permitting tribes residing along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km into the other country without a visa. However, the FMR has faced questions and challenges, especially amid tensions in Manipur. This essay discusses the significance of the FMR, the need for its regulation, and the importance of a balanced approach in dealing with the challenges.

Significance of the Free Movement Regime:

1. Historical Border Demarcation: The border between India and Myanmar was drawn by the British in 1826 without consulting the local inhabitants. As a result, people of the same ethnic and cultural backgrounds were divided into two nations without their consent. The FMR helps maintain connections among these communities, who share strong ethnic and familial ties across the border.
2. People-to-People Contact: Facilitating the movement of border people across the IMB fosters people-to-people contact, allowing them to engage in cultural exchanges and maintain social ties. This contact is essential for preserving their heritage and traditions.
3. Boost to Local Trade and Livelihoods: Apart from cultural exchanges, the FMR was intended to provide impetus to local trade and business. Given the low-income economy of the region, cross-border exchanges play a crucial role in sustaining local livelihoods.

Challenges Associated with the FMR:

1. Insurgency and Drug Trafficking: The porous borders resulting from the FMR have enabled certain insurgent groups to establish camps in nearby regions. These groups take advantage of the situation to engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and the smuggling of weapons. The mismanagement of the FMR has facilitated these criminal activities.
2. Unregulated Movement: The lack of proper regulation and monitoring of cross-border movement has led to the misuse of the FMR. As a consequence, the influx of refugees from Myanmar escalated, prompting India to suspend the FMR in September 2022.

The Way Forward: Regulation and Balanced Approach

1. Improved Regulation of the FMR: To address the challenges associated with the FMR, it is crucial to implement better regulation and monitoring. A well-regulated regime will ensure that the movement across the border remains legitimate and doesn’t facilitate illegal activities.
2. Tackling Insurgency and Drug Trafficking: Effectively managing and administering the border areas is necessary to reduce drug trafficking and the presence of insurgent groups. Coordination between India and Myanmar to address these issues is vital for the security and stability of the region.
3. Balancing Concerns: Given the changing socio-political and economic conditions in Myanmar, a balanced approach is required. New Delhi should adopt a cautious and prudent strategy, aiming to eliminate criminal activities without harming the legitimate movement of people and preserving the cultural ties between border communities.

Important Points:

• The FMR allows tribes living along the 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
• It was implemented in 2018 as an agreement between India and Myanmar.
• The border demarcation by the British in 1826 split people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations without their consent.
• The FMR promotes people-to-people contact and helps maintain social ties among border communities.
• It was intended to boost local trade and livelihoods in the region’s low-income economy.
• Challenges associated with the FMR include insurgency and drug trafficking due to porous borders.
• Certain insurgent groups have established camps in nearby regions, engaging in illegal activities like drug smuggling and weapon selling.
• Unregulated movement and misuse of the FMR led to an influx of refugees from Myanmar, causing India to suspend the FMR in September 2022.
• The FMR needs better regulation and monitoring to ensure legitimate movement and prevent criminal activities.
• Effectively managing the border areas is necessary to reduce drug trafficking and the presence of insurgent groups.
• A balanced approach is required to address the challenges without harming legitimate movement and cultural ties.
• India and Myanmar should work together to manage the border effectively, promoting cooperation and development while ensuring the safety of border communities.

Why In News

Amid escalating tensions in Manipur, the effectiveness and implications of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allows migration across the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) have come under intense scrutiny. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are grappling with the need to strike a delicate balance between regional security concerns and maintaining people-to-people ties vital for cultural exchange and economic activities.

MCQs about Challenges and Solutions of the Free Movement Regime

1. Which statement best describes the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar Border?
   A. It allows visa-free travel up to 16 km inside the other country for border tribes.
   B. It requires strict border control and visa approval for all cross-border movements.
   C. It limits movement within 5 km on either side of the Indo-Myanmar Border.
   D. It only applies to Indian citizens, allowing them to travel freely within Myanmar.
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: A. It allows visa-free travel up to 16 km inside the other country for border tribes.
   Explanation: The Free Movement Regime (FMR) permits tribes living along the Indo-Myanmar Border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without needing a visa. This promotes people-to-people contact and maintains social ties among border communities.
   
2. What challenges arise due to the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar Border?
   A. Economic instability in the region.
   B. Limited access to education and healthcare for border communities.
   C. Insurgency and drug trafficking due to porous borders.
   D. Border disputes between India and Myanmar.
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: C. Insurgency and drug trafficking due to porous borders.
   Explanation: The FMR’s porous borders have allowed certain insurgent groups to establish camps and engage in illegal activities like drug smuggling and weapon selling, posing a challenge to security in the region.
   
3. Why did India suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) in September 2022?
   A. Due to rising tensions with Myanmar.
   B. To regulate the movement of border communities.
   C. As a response to insurgency activities along the border.
   D. To curb illegal cross-border trade.
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: C. As a response to insurgency activities along the border.
   Explanation: India suspended the FMR in September 2022 due to the increased influx of refugees from Myanmar, which was linked to the challenges posed by insurgent groups along the border.
   
4. What is the recommended approach to tackle the challenges of the Free Movement Regime (FMR)?
   A. Completely seal the border to prevent any movement.
   B. Pursue a balanced approach to address issues without disrupting legitimate movement.
   C. Increase military presence along the border to deter criminal activities.
   D. Ignore the challenges and focus on promoting people-to-people contact.
   Show Answer
   Correct Answer: B. Pursue a balanced approach to address issues without disrupting legitimate movement.
   Explanation: A cautious and prudent strategy is required to eliminate criminal activities without harming legitimate movement and preserving cultural ties between border communities. This approach is crucial to maintaining positive cross-border connections.
   

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