India-Myanmar border Free Movement Regime (FMR)

Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar

• FMR is a bilateral agreement between India and Myanmar established in 1968, allowing residents within a certain distance of the border to cross freely due to familial and ethnic ties.
  • The Mizo, Kuki and Chins, collectively known as Zo people (on either side of the border) share a common ancestry and strong ethnic ties.
• Indian & Myanmar share a boundary of 1643 Km. (largely unfenced) which passes through 4 Indian States – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Current Developments

• Suspension of FMR: Union Home Minister in February 2023,announced that the FMR has been suspended to ensure internal security and maintain the demographic structure of northeastern States.
• Pending Notification: The formal notification to end the FMR, which requires approval by the Ministry of External Affairs, is still awaited.
• Recently the Ministry of Home Affairs has brought new guidelines to regulate the movement of people.

Concerns Related to FMR

• Security Risks: Unrestricted movement exploited by insurgents and terrorists to cross the border undetected.
• Illegal Activities: smuggling goods, drug trafficking and arms across the border.
• Challenges in Monitoring: Free movement makes it difficult for border security forces to monitor and differentiate between regular community members and those engaging in illegal activities.

New Guidelines for Cross-Border Movement

• Range Reduction: The territorial limit for free movement has been reduced to 10 km.
• Border Pass System: Residents crossing the border will need to obtain a border pass issued by the Assam Rifles (Primary guarding force). The pass will permit a stay of up to 7 days in Myanmar.

Processes for Entry into India

• Visitors must: Report to designated border points, Fill a form and Undergo document checks, security screening and health inspections.
• Information will be uploaded to the Indo-Myanmar Border Portal.
• A border pass with a photograph and QR code will be issued and must be returned at the same point upon departure.

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