Congress MLA Keisham Meghachandra, COCOMI and AMSU seek clarity from the Centre over reports of a proposed India-Myanmar border land exchange, warning against any move affecting Manipur’s territorial integrity.
Imphal, August 6: Congress MLA Keisham Meghachandra has sought a clear explanation from the Centre over reports of a possible territorial exchange between India and Myanmar to resolve an undemarcated section of the international boundary along Manipur.
Reacting to remarks made by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal that discussions were underway regarding unsettled border sectors, Meghachandra said the statement had created “more questions than answers” and demanded transparency from the Union government on any proposal affecting Manipur’s territorial integrity.
In a post on X on August 5, the Congress legislator stated, “On an issue as sensitive as the international boundary and the territorial integrity of Manipur, the people deserve clarity - not ambiguity.”
The statement made by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has created more questions than answers.
— Keisham Meghachandra Singh (@meghachandra_k) August 5, 2026
On an issue as sensitive as the international boundary and the territorial integrity of Manipur, the people deserve clarity - not ambiguity.
If there is no proposal involving any… pic.twitter.com/xLEVg8PMcE
He added, “If there is no proposal involving any adjustment or exchange of territory, the MEA should categorically deny the reports. If discussions are indeed underway, the Government must disclose their scope, objectives, and safeguards instead of leaving room for speculation and public anxiety.”
The remarks came after MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, said that some sections of the India-Myanmar border were yet to be settled and that discussions on those areas were continuing.
RELATED NEWS: COCOMI Seeks Clarification Over Report on Proposed Manipur Land Exchange With Myanmar
Responding to queries on reports suggesting a possible land swap along the Manipur border, Jaiswal stated, “There are certain areas on the border which are yet to be settled. Discussions on those sectors are ongoing.”
While the MEA spokesperson did not confirm any territorial exchange proposal, his statement acknowledged that bilateral discussions were taking place on unresolved portions of the boundary.
Reported proposal relates to Chandel district border sector
A report published by US-based magazine The Diplomat on July 17 claimed that India was examining a proposal to complete demarcation of an unresolved stretch of the India-Myanmar border between boundary pillars 65 and 68 by exchanging around 1.4 square miles of territory.
The reported area falls in Manipur’s Chandel district, adjacent to Myanmar’s Kabaw Valley in the Sagaing Region. The report, citing an official document dated May 26, 2026, stated that the demarcation exercise was expected to be completed within three months.
The distance between boundary pillars 65 and 68 is approximately 2.8 kilometres.
India and Myanmar share a 1,643-km-long international boundary passing through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram before extending into Myanmar’s Sagaing Region and Chin State.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, around 1,472 km of the border has been demarcated through boundary pillars, while nearly 171 km remains unresolved, including sections in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit sector and Manipur’s Kabaw Valley.
MLA questions government silence
Raising concerns over the reported discussions, Meghachandra questioned why the Centre had not issued a detailed clarification on an issue directly linked to Manipur’s borders.
“Why is the Government maintaining silence on an issue that directly concerns the territorial integrity, historical boundaries, and security of Manipur?” he asked.
The MLA sought answers on whether the government was considering any exchange or adjustment of land with Myanmar, which villages or areas could be affected, whether consultations had been held with the Manipur government and local stakeholders, and whether Parliament and the people of Manipur would be informed before any final decision.
He stated, “The people of Manipur have a right to know.”
He further said that any decision affecting the international boundary should not be taken without consultation and constitutional procedures.
“The Government must categorically state that no inch of India’s territory will be surrendered without due constitutional process, parliamentary scrutiny, and consultation with the people of Manipur,” Meghachandra said.
Border fencing and Free Movement Regime
The reported discussions come against the backdrop of India’s decision in 2024 to fence the entire India-Myanmar border and end the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which had allowed people living near the border to travel up to 16 km across the boundary with permits.
The proposed fencing was aimed at addressing concerns related to illegal immigration, insurgent movement and cross-border criminal activities.
The India-Myanmar boundary was defined under a 1967 bilateral agreement. However, certain stretches remain unresolved and have been under discussion through bilateral mechanisms.
In 2018, the Centre informed Parliament that the remaining unsettled sections would be addressed through the joint boundary mechanism, including identification and construction of additional boundary pillars.
Sensitive sections in Manipur include the Molcham sector between pillars 64 and 68, the Moreh sector between pillars 75 and 79, and the Choro Khunou sector between pillars 88 and 95.
India has maintained that there is no larger boundary dispute with Myanmar, but only unresolved sections involving a limited number of boundary pillars.
Civil society groups raise concerns
The reported proposal has also triggered concerns among civil society organisations in Manipur.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had earlier warned against any move involving transfer of territory to Myanmar.
Following the publication of The Diplomat report, COCOMI stated that if the reported proposal was implemented, it would oppose the move.
“If the contents of the report are true and the proposal is translated into action, COCOMI will not remain a silent spectator,” the organisation said on July 27.
COCOMI described Manipur’s territorial integrity as non-negotiable and stated that decisions affecting the state’s boundaries should not be taken without the consent of its people.
The organisation also warned that any reduction in the state’s geographical boundaries would not be acceptable.
AMSU demands clarity from Centre, Manipur government
The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has demanded that the governments of India and Manipur clarify the facts behind reports of a proposed exchange of around 1.4 square miles of land in Manipur with Myanmar.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal on Thursday, AMSU Secretary General Samandram Lanba Luwang said the organisation would not accept the report published by the US-based magazine The Diplomat on July 17 regarding the reported transfer of a portion of Manipur’s territory to Myanmar.
“The governments of India and Manipur should clearly inform the public about the true facts regarding the reported plan to hand over a 1.4-square-mile piece of land in Manipur to Myanmar,” Lanba Luwang stated.
He said the reported proposal concerning the area between Border Pillars 65 and 68 had created serious concerns among the people and demanded an official clarification from both governments.
“If this matter turns out to be true, the student body is fully prepared to launch an intense agitation without fearing death,” he said.
Lanba Luwang warned that if the people of Manipur were ignored on an issue concerning the state’s territorial integrity, the authorities would be responsible for the consequences.
“If the people of Manipur are treated with disrespect and taken for granted, the authorities must bear full responsibility for all good and bad consequences that arise from it,” he stated.
He also urged the Government of India to consider the historical boundaries of Manipur and ensure that they remain protected.
“The Government of India must thoroughly understand the history of Manipur. India should keep intact the territorial boundaries that Manipur possessed when Manipur merged with India,” he said.
According to Lanba Luwang, the territory of Manipur had been protected through sacrifices made by previous generations, and any failure to safeguard it would invite strong opposition.
“If the governments of India and Manipur fail to safeguard it, the native children of this land will step forward fearlessly to defend it,” he added.
The AMSU leader further criticised the government’s handling of ongoing issues in Manipur, stating that instead of addressing challenges faced by the people, recent developments were creating concerns over the state’s future.
He said, “Ignoring the pressing issues currently faced by the people of this land and attempting to hand over Manipur's land to Myanmar is an act intended to cause even greater suffering and stir further unrest among the public.”
He called upon the Manipur government to take note of the concerns raised by the public and act with urgency.
“The Manipur government should wake up now,” he added.
Government yet to clarify reported exchange proposal
The Centre has not officially confirmed any plan involving a land exchange between India and Myanmar. The MEA has only stated that discussions are continuing on unsettled border sectors.
The issue remains a matter of concern in Manipur, where questions over border demarcation, security, and territorial integrity have significant public sensitivity.
Meghachandra said the government must communicate clearly, stating, “The people of Manipur are not seeking diplomatic rhetoric - they are seeking clear, unequivocal assurances that their land, rights, and future will not be compromised.”
