India is set to construct a barrier along its extensive and permeable boundary with Myanmar, alongside the termination of a border zone agreement allowing free movement, as reported by Indian media on Sunday.
Home Minister Amit Shah disclosed the decision after numerous Myanmar troops, escaping insurgent attacks, entered Indian territory. During his visit to the northeastern state of Assam, Shah declared the government’s intent to fence the entire open India-Myanmar border, which spans over 1,200 kilometers (750 miles), encompassing diverse terrains from remote jungles to towering snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
While Shah did not provide specific details regarding the construction timeframe or methods, he affirmed the government’s decision to end the free movement agreement, which permitted residents in border areas to travel a short distance into each other’s territories without requiring a visa. This move is expected to impact communities with shared cultural and religious bonds.
India has previously fortified over 2,000 kilometers of its border with Pakistan and at least 3,100 kilometers with Bangladesh, based on government statistics from 2021. The decision to fortify the India-Myanmar border follows increased conflict in Myanmar’s proximity to the Indian border, triggered by insurgent attacks such as those by the Arakan Army (AA) in November. A ceasefire, which had largely been held since a 2021 military coup, was disrupted by the AA’s actions.
In October, an alliance comprising AA insurgents and other ethnic minority fighters initiated a joint offensive in northern Myanmar, capturing crucial trade hubs along the Chinese border. Although a China-mediated ceasefire was announced earlier this month by the alliance, it does not apply to areas near the Indian border, where hostilities persist.
