- Myanmar has indefinitely deferred signing agreement with India to streamline free movement of people within 16 km along open border between two countries.
- India and Myanmar share 1,643 km unfenced border along four states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram and permit free movement regime (FMR) up to 16 km beyond border.
- In January 2018, Union Cabinet had approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Myanmar on land border crossing to enhance economic interaction between people of two countries.
- To give it shape, Central Government had asked four border states with Myanmar to distribute “border pass” to all the residents living within 16 km from the border.
- The agreement has been deferred twice in the past seven months.
- The agreement will facilitate movement of people on basis of valid passports and visas which will enhance economic and social interaction between two countries.
Free movement regime (FMR)
- FMR was bilateral agreement between India and Myanmar that allows free movement of Indian and Myanmar’s citizens within 16 km of the border without visa restrictions for 72 hours.
- Its purpose is to alleviate insecurity of tribal living along India and Myanmar border as they still continue to have trans-border linkages with their kith and kin.