India-Myanmar Land Swap Talks: MEA Confirms Discussions

By Thetripurapost Desk, Imphal
Aug 05, 2026
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India and Myanmar are holding discussions to resolve an unresolved stretch of their international boundary along Manipur, with reports suggesting that both countries are evaluating a limited territorial exchange to complete the long-pending border demarcation.

Responding to media queries in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (mea) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that certain portions of the India-Myanmar border remain unsettled and that bilateral discussions are continuing. However, he did not officially confirm reports claiming that a land swap proposal has been finalized.

"There are certain areas on the border which are yet to be settled. Discussions on those sectors are ongoing," Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing.

His statement came after reports emerged that New Delhi is examining a proposal involving a small territorial adjustment with Myanmar to settle an undemarcated section of the border in Manipur.

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Proposal Involves Boundary Pillars 65 To 68

According to a report published by The Diplomat, citing an official government document, India is considering exchanging nearly 1.4 square miles of territory to finalize the boundary between Border Pillars 65 and 68 along the Manipur-Myanmar frontier.

The disputed stretch extends approximately 2.8 kilometres and falls within Manipur's Chandel district, adjoining Myanmar's Kabaw Valley in the Sagaing Region.

The document, reportedly dated May 26, 2026, suggested that the demarcation exercise was expected to be completed within three months.

India-Myanmar Border Remains Partially Undemarcated

India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometre international border passing through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram before entering Myanmar's Sagaing Region and Chin State.

Large sections of the frontier pass through mountainous forests and tribal-inhabited areas, making border management challenging.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, nearly 1,472 kilometres of the boundary have already been demarcated, while about 171 kilometres remain unresolved, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit sector and Manipur's Kabaw Valley.

Why India Is Considering The Proposal

Experts believe completing the border demarcation would help India accelerate fencing of the India-Myanmar border to strengthen national security.

The move is aimed at curbing:

Illegal immigration
Cross-border insurgency
Arms smuggling
Drug trafficking
Other transnational crimes

In 2024, the Government of India announced plans to fence the entire India-Myanmar border and decided to discontinue the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which had allowed tribal communities living near the border to travel up to 16 kilometres across the frontier without a visa.

Long-Pending Boundary Issue

Although the India-Myanmar boundary was formally defined under a 1967 bilateral agreement, several stretches remain unresolved.

The Government informed Parliament in 2018 that the remaining sections would be settled through bilateral mechanisms, including the installation of nine pending boundary pillars.

Among the most sensitive locations are:

Molcham Sector (Pillars 64–68)
Moreh Sector (Pillars 75–79)
Choro Khunou Sector (Pillars 88–95)

India has consistently maintained that there is no larger territorial dispute with Myanmar and that only a handful of boundary markers remain to be finalized.

Report Links Proposal To High-Level Talks

The Diplomat reported that the issue was discussed during Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing's recent visit to India.

According to the report, both governments explored the possibility of installing additional boundary pillars in the Molcham sector while reviewing a 2017 Ministry of External Affairs proposal regarding the alignment of the border in that area.

Similar Border Settlement With Bangladesh

India has previously resolved complex border issues through negotiated agreements.

In 2015, India and Bangladesh implemented the historic Land Boundary Agreement, under which India transferred 111 enclaves to Bangladesh while receiving 51 Bangladeshi enclaves, ending a boundary dispute that had continued for more than four decades.

Opposition Emerges In Manipur

The reported proposal has triggered criticism from several organisations in Manipur.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has warned the Centre against transferring any part of the state's territory to Myanmar.

The organisation stated that if such a proposal is implemented, it would launch a widespread democratic movement opposing the decision.

COCOMI also described Manipur's territorial integrity as non-negotiable, arguing that the state's existing boundaries represent its historical identity and should not be altered without the consent of its people.

The group further cautioned the Union Government against taking any decision affecting Manipur's territorial boundaries without public consultation.

Conclusion

While the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that negotiations are underway over unresolved sections of the India-Myanmar border, it has not officially endorsed reports of a land exchange. Any proposal involving territorial adjustment is likely to face close scrutiny because of its strategic, political and security implications, particularly in Manipur.

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