State crisis featured among FP's 8 conflicts to watch for
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 22 2025: Foreign Policy (FP), a leading American publication specialising in global affairs, has listed the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, India, as one of the eight simmering conflicts to watch in 2025 .

Highlighting the potential regional and geopolitical implications, the publication noted that the Manipur crisis has been largely overlooked by experts on global risks, despite its far-reaching consequences.

The conflict in Manipur, a northeastern Indian state bordering Myanmar, began in May 2023 and primarily involves the Meetei and Kuki.

The FP list featured a report by Sushant Singh, a lecturer at Yale University and a consulting editor for The Caravan magazine, who wrote that the crisis has resulted in at least 250 deaths and displaced 60,000 people from their homes.

Furthermore, over 6,500 weapons have been looted from state police armouries, deepening the region's instability.

Sushant Singh underscored that while the violence may appear to be a localised ethnic conflict, its impact extends far beyond Manipur.

The political instability has already affected neighbouring states such as Nagaland, Assam, and Mizoram, threatening to reignite dormant tensions in the region.

This, in turn, could strain New Delhi's resources and divert attention from other national security concerns, including the contentious borders with China and Pakistan.

The conflict also carries international implications due to the ethnic ties shared by communities in Manipur with groups across borders in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has created a volatile environment that insurgent groups can exploit, further destabilising the region.

Additionally, political shifts in Bangladesh, including the emergence of a government less friendly to India, have amplified anti-India sentiment, potentially complicating bilateral relations.

Foreign Policy also highlighted how the instability in northeast India jeopardises key infrastructure and trade initiatives, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.

These projects are vital for India's integration with ASEAN nations and for reducing reliance on China-dominated maritime routes.

However, their success hinges on New Delhi's ability to restore stability in the region.

The publication criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his perceived apathy toward the crisis, particularly as violence escalated in November 2024 .

It argued that addressing the Manipur crisis would require political will, administrative competence, and a renewed commitment to regional diplomacy.

Manipur's inclusion in FP's list places it alongside other global flashpoints, including US military strikes targeting Mexico's cartels, Moro Islamic Liberation Front destabilising the Philippines again, Norwegian fishermen take on the Kremlin, plausibly deni able Russian war against Europe, North Korean strike on a divided and distracted South, Houthis conquer all of Yemen, and Russian destabilisation of Moldova.

Foreign Policy, an influential American publication established in 1970, focuses on global affairs, current events, and domestic and international policy.

Foreign Policy magazine is published by The FP Group, a division of Graham Holdings Company, formerly known as The Washington Post Company.

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