India’s Response to Illegal Immigration from Myanmar and Its Implications for Northeast States
OPINION & ANALYSISMIGRATION
Tengnoupal/Imphal: India’s handling of illegal immigration from Myanmar has taken center stage as the nation grapples with a delicate balance between humanitarian concerns, national security, and the preservation of demographic stability in its northeastern states, particularly Manipur and Mizoram. The two border states, sharing a combined 908 kilometers of porous international boundary with Myanmar, have emerged as focal points in this unfolding situation, with contrasting approaches from their respective governments amplifying tensions and drawing attention to broader geopolitical dynamics.
‘Myanmar refugees’ in Mizoram
Deportation at Moreh: A Signal of Intent
On March 21, 2025, Indian authorities deported 27 Myanmar nationals, including a minor, across the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Moreh gate check post in Tengnoupal district, Manipur. The group, detained earlier at the Sajiwa Jail foreign detention center in Imphal after entering India illegally, was handed over to Myanmar immigration officials following the completion of their jail terms. The repatriation, conducted in the presence of officials from the District Administration, Moreh Police, Indian immigration authorities, and personnel from the 5th Assam Rifles, underscores India’s renewed push to address illegal immigration amid escalating concerns over its impact on the region.
N. Biren Singh, Former CM of Manipur
This event follows a consistent stance by the Manipur government, led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which has advocated for the return of Myanmar nationals—often termed "refugees" by local communities—to their home country. Since September 2023, Manipur has diligently captured biometric data of all illegal immigrants crossing from Myanmar, aligning with directives from the Union government. This measure, aimed at tracking and managing the influx, has been a cornerstone of the state’s strategy to safeguard its demographic balance and internal security.
Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram
Mizoram’s Contrasting Approach
In stark contrast, Mizoram, which shares a 510-kilometer border with Myanmar, initially welcomed thousands of Myanmar nationals fleeing conflict following the 2021 military coup, citing humanitarian grounds and ethnic ties, particularly with the Chin community. This stance defied Union government instructions to prevent their entry and repatriate them to Myanmar. Over 30,000 Myanmar nationals are currently sheltered in relief camps and communities across Mizoram, with estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 50,000. However, recent developments indicate a shift in Mizoram’s policy. The state government, under Chief Minister Lalduhoma, has begun taking steps to prevent these individuals from integrating into Indian society, notably by denying them access to Indian identification documents using IDs such as Aadhaar or voter IDs, releasing that such IDs could easily be faked. This move suggests a compromise between its humanitarian impulses and pressure from the central government to curb long-term demographic shifts.
The Mizoram government’s initial refusal to comply with the call to collect biometric data—a measure Manipur adopted early—had sparked concerns in New Delhi and Imphal about unchecked inflows and their potential to alter the region’s ethnic composition. Mizoram’s change in tack may reflect a response to these pressures, though it continues to resist mass deportation, highlighting the deep ethnic and cultural connections across the border.
Amit Shah’s Visit and Geopolitical Undercurrents
The deportation comes on the heels of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Mizoram, a trip that analysts suggest may carry significant geopolitical weight. India’s northeastern frontier is a critical theater in its efforts to maintain influence over Myanmar, where China and the United States are increasingly vying for leverage amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict. Shah’s visit, ostensibly to review security and development initiatives, could be linked to broader maneuvers to counterbalance foreign influence in Myanmar while addressing domestic concerns over illegal immigration. His earlier announcements, including the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) in February 2024 and plans to fence the entire 1,643-kilometer India-Myanmar border, signal a hardening stance on border security—a policy Manipur has embraced but Mizoram and Nagaland have resisted.
The FMR, which once allowed visa-free movement up to 16 kilometers across the border, has been blamed by Manipur officials for facilitating illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and insurgent activity, exacerbating ethnic tensions in the state. Mizoram and Nagaland however, view the regime’s termination and border fencing as a threat to ethnic unity and interaction, particularly for the Zo people and the Nagas who straddle the border.
Demographic Balance and Regional Tensions
The influx of Myanmar nationals—over 6,000 in Manipur and tens of thousands in Mizoram—has raised alarms about the potential disruption of the demographic balance in these ethnically diverse states. In Manipur, where ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has claimed over 200 lives since May 2023, the government has pointed to illegal immigration as a contributing factor, accusing “foreign elements” of fueling unrest. The state’s proactive biometric registration and deportation efforts reflect its determination to mitigate these risks. Mizoram, while more accommodating, faces similar pressures as its population of 1.1 million contends with a significant migrant presence that could strain resources and alter local dynamics.
Implications and the Road Ahead
The deportation of 27 Myanmar nationals is a small but symbolic step in India’s evolving response to the crisis. For Manipur, it reinforces a policy of containment and repatriation, backed by Union government support. For Mizoram, it may signal increasing alignment with national directives, albeit tempered by local realities. The event also underscores India’s delicate balancing act: addressing security and demographic concerns while navigating its strategic interests in Myanmar against the backdrop of Chinese and American influence.
As the situation develops, questions remain about the fate of thousands still in India, the feasibility of fencing a rugged border, and the long-term impact on northeast India’s social fabric. With Amit Shah’s initiatives gaining momentum, the coming months will likely reveal whether India can harmonize its humanitarian legacy with its security imperatives—or if the divide between Manipur and Mizoram’s approaches will deepen.