Bigger Security Problem for India in Future : Myanmar Border

Bharat Singh Adhwariya

1. Background. The security concerns for India have always been centered towards China and Pakistan. But there is another dimension of a bigger security concern. This concern has always been existing and dealt, but presently it is getting bad and most likely to worsen in the future. And, that's the Myanmar Border.

2. Causes. Myanmar has always acted as a buffer zone between India and China. The Ruili-Muse border between Myanmar and China was one of the most prevalent trade route between the two nations and definitely a channel through which there is a huge influx of illegal goods inside India. After the military coup in Myanmar, the quantum of trade has almost become negligible and so is the sustainability of people thriving on these trades. There are multiple factors, which make Myanmar? a greater security challenge for India. Some of the concern areas are as highlighted in brief.

? Golden Triangle. This 9.5 Lakh Square Kilometers area produces the largest amount of synthetic drugs in the world. The area comprises of parts of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, but China has unsaid dominance over this area. Influx of these drugs into India is carried out through a well established nexus involving multiple kingpins. Post, military coup in Myanmar, the efforts by Myanmar authorities to counter these nexus have drastically reduced and involvement of People's Defence Force (PDF) as a new player cannot be denied. The quantum of narcotics substance being inducted into the Indian territory is not reduced by ongoing turmoil in Myanmar and rather innovative means are implemented by effective durg lords.

? Riots in Myanmar. The law and order situation in Myanmar is going from bad to worse and has direct implications along Indian territory. The same is evident in terms of influx of illegal immigration mainly in parts of Manipur and Mizoram. The armed groups are increasing manifold, which are able to easily cross over and enter Indian territory due to long unfenced borders.

? Common Ethnicity. Amongst the many tribes which resides along IMB, it is mainly the Chin and Kuki tribes residing on either sides of the border which share common cultural values. Hence, illegal infiltration and support incase of any incident has unconstitutional legitimacy in these border areas.

? Porous Borders and Illegal Settlement. Due to the common ethnic traditions existing among tribes and large unfenced borders, a large amount of settlement is seen from Myanmar to India by inherent support of local populace. Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement between India and Myanmar is also used as a tool by Non State Actors to include PDF of Myanmar.

? Present Situation in Manipur. Due to ongoing ethnic conflict between Kuki and Meitei groups in Manipur, the situation is not very suitable for natives. There has been multiple clashes between both communities, which has promoted violation of Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement by mainly Kuki groups and also exfiltration of Valley Based Insurgents back in India.

? Pakistan and China. It's clear that Pakistan silently intervene into affairs of North Eastern part of India and these sponsored activities are further increased in present times. China also is a major participant as her illegal business module is churned due to Junta-PDF conflict and enhanced presence of security forces onto Indian side.

? Other Factors. The above mentioned points are just a few problems triggering major security concerns and there are many other issue areas that contribute to this situation. These could be, distrust of natives in present Government and administration, sustainable economy as dependency on goods entering from Myanmar is reduced, involvement of third country and many other.

3. Effects. As it's evident that, an internal conflict and illegal settlement has never contributed to the development of any nation and always invited increased armed moments, failure of government and administration, economic collapse and success in nefarious design of groups and people. Due to this ongoing situation along India-Myanmar border (IMB), it's analysed that cases of Law and Order, drug nexus, theft and snatching, uprising in armed conflicts and many other unconstitutional activities are bound to increase.

4. Conclusion. The development of a nation or state is directly proportional to growth achieved by it's last person. And, this growth not only requires political and administrative will, but also an intention to contribute from everyone in the? society. Hence, in order to obtain sustainable development, the issues which needs immediate response are solution to unfenced borders (approved for fencing), peaceful resolution to ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur, strict action against Illegal migration and movement of armed groups from Myanmar. The other few issues requiring deliberate actions are foil of drug and arms nexus, cross border smuggling, maintaining Law and Order situation and finally a suitable and acceptable termination of all armed groups and activities in various parts of the North Eastern States.

Lt General Shokin Chauhan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, PhD

Major Gaurav Arya (Retd)

Sameer Patil, PhD

Dr Gaurav Garg

Dr Nanda Kishor M S. MPhil, PhD