Cross-Border Challenges and Strategic Cooperation on the Indo-Myanmar Frontier

We are pleased to share our latest issue brief, “Cross-Border Challenges and Strategic Cooperation on the Indo-Myanmar Frontier,” authored by Riddhik Parashar. This comprehensive analysis delves into the complexities of the India-Myanmar border, addressing key security concerns, insurgency dynamics, the Golden Triangle’s illicit drug trade, and cross-border migration. It also explores India’s strategic engagement with Myanmar, including counter-insurgency operations and the impact of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) on bilateral relations.

Key Highlights of the Issue Brief:

• Insurgency and the Greater Nagalim Demand – The role of Naga insurgent groups and territorial challenges.
• Illicit Drug Trade via the Golden Triangle – Myanmar’s rising opium production and its security implications for India.
• Rohingya Crisis and Security Concerns – The impact of cross-border migration and the potential threat posed by ARSA.
• India’s Counter-Insurgency Operations – From Operation Golden Bird (1995) to 2015’s surgical strikes and ongoing cooperation with Myanmar’s military regime.
• The Free Movement Regime (FMR): A Double-Edged Sword – How the FMR facilitated trade and ethnic ties but was later scrapped due to security concerns.
• Strategic Implications for India’s Act East Policy – Myanmar’s stability is a crucial factor in India’s regional engagement.

This issue brief provides an insightful perspective on India’s border security, strategic cooperation, and regional diplomacy with Myanmar. We invite you to read and engage with this analysis to understand the evolving geopolitical landscape.

We invite you to explore this insightful brief. To access the brief, you can read it as an embedded PDF (laptops/desktops) or download the file as a PDF and read it on your device.

Riddhik Parashar

Riddhik Parashar is a researcher specialising in South Asian security dynamics, border conflicts, and strategic affairs. His expertise lies in analysing insurgencies, counter-terrorism policies, and geopolitical shifts in India’s neighborhood. Views expressed are personal.