Land swap deal may entail loss to Manipur's territory
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2026: The proposed deal between India and Myanmar to swap certain areas along the international boundary is likely to result in a big territorial loss to Manipur.

Well placed sources said that the Government of India is following an appeasement policy toward the Myanmar junta in its efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The same appeasement policy may cost a big chunk of Manipur's territory, said the sources.

Under its Act East Policy, the Government of India has been trying to appease the Myanmar Government by doling out a big chunk of Manipur's territory.

Land swap deal may entail loss to Manipur's territory

However, the Government of Manipur has been acting as if it is totally oblivious to this arrangement.

Other stakeholders too have also been keeping quiet on this proposed arrangement which will considerably shrink the State's territory, said the sources.

Under the proposed land swap deal, India may give away a sizable area extending around 3 Kms from border pillar 65 to 68 to Myanmar.

It is not yet clear whether the land swap deal is being worked out under the Treaty of Yandaboo or some other mechanism.

Nonetheless, the Ministry of External Affairs has agreed to give away a big chunk of Manipur's territory to Myanmar under the Government of India's appease- ment policy towards its eastern neighbour, said the sources.

Once Myanmar takes over 3 Kms of Manipur's territory between border pillars 65 and 68, many villages will be uprooted.

It is not yet clear whether these villagers will move inside India or go to Myanmar.

Many villages including Molcham, Khengjang, Yangoulen, Khongkot, Changpol, New Changpol, SL Changpol and Joldam are located within the stretch of land which will be taken over by Myanmar once the land swap deal is finalised, added the sources.

CSOs including COCOMI have opposed, demanding full transparency and consultation before any ground changes or territorial adjustments occur.

The Diplomat reported that the Indian Government was examining to complete the demarcation of the boundary between border pillars 65 and 68 along Manipur's border with Myanmar.

It was reported that 1.4 square miles was "proposed" to be exchanged with Myanmar following a proposal from the Foreign Secretary.

According to an official document seen by The Diplomat, the territory that is being considered for exchange lies in Manipur's Chandel district, contiguous to Myanmar's Kabaw Valley in Sagaing Region.

The document, dated May 26, 2026, further mentions that the boundary demarcation is planned to be completed within three months.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that discussions were going on with Myanmar over certain unresolved sections of the India-Myanmar border.

The rationale to expedite demarcation of the border stems from the Indian Government's urgency to fence the border with Myanmar to check cross-border criminal activities, including illegal immigration and movement of insurgents.

A sum of $3.22 billion has already been sanctioned for the fence and a patrol track along the entire border, spanning 1,643 km .

The boundary demarcation was done by the Joint Boundary Commission of the two countries, which was constituted after they signed an agreement in 1967 .