Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the central government has opted to abolish the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR).
In his announcement regarding the cessation of the FMR, Amit Shah stated that the decision was made to uphold the internal security and demographic composition of the northeastern states. This move aims to prevent the potential spillover effects of the ongoing crisis in Myanmar on India.
Due to the military dictatorship in Myanmar and the uprising of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces, there has been a notable influx of individuals from Myanmar into the neighboring Indian states.
What is Free Movement Regime?
The FMR was established in 2018 as a component of India’s Act East policy, permitting cross-border movement within a 16 km radius without requiring a visa. This agreement aimed to facilitate local border trade, enhance access to education and healthcare for border residents, and bolster diplomatic relations. Additionally, individuals were granted the opportunity to stay in the neighboring country for up to two weeks by obtaining a one-year border pass.
Why was FMR scrapped?
The FMR was abolished between India and Myanmar to safeguard the internal security of the nation and preserve the demographic composition of India’s North Eastern states that share borders with Myanmar, as stated by Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X.
In a post, Home Minister Amit Shah stated, ‘It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’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.'”
Fencing of India-Myanmar border
Earlier, the Home Minister had announced the fencing of the entire 1643 kilometers of the India-Myanmar border. Amit Shah also disclosed plans for constructing a patrol pathway along the India-Myanmar border to enhance surveillance capabilities. Furthermore, Shah mentioned, “Additionally, fence works covering approximately 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, and the work will commence soon.”
“We intend to terminate the FMR along the Indo-Myanmar border shortly. Our objective is to erect fencing along the entire border, a project anticipated to be finalized within the next four-and-a-half years. Individuals entering will be mandated to obtain a visa,” revealed an official familiar with the plan prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
One of the primary motivations behind scrapping the FMR was to combat “illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling in the region.
