Unquiet on India's Eastern Front

Wars with Myanmar and Bangladesh are unlikely, but political uncertainties at the trijunction of South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia increase India's border security challenges, as China makes measured moves to gain strategic ground

- Snigdhendu Bhattacharya

ON February 27, a rather intriguing political development played out in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, India's northeast state sharing borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Two Myanmar-based ethnic insurgent groups signed a merger agreement in the presence of Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

The Chinland Council (CC) has been active in western Myanmar's Chin State for several years, while the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) was launched in 2021, mostly by breakaway factions of the CC. Both groups are fighting against Myanmar's military junta, which seized power in a coup that overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021.

Chief Minister Lalduhoma attributed his role in facilitating the CC's merger with the ICNCC to his mission to support the Chin people's struggle against Myanmar's junta rulers. The united body formed through the merger is named the Chin National Council (CNC).

The Mizos of India's Mizoram, the Kukis of neighbouring Manipur, the Chins of Myanmar's Chin and surrounding states and the Bawms of Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts belong to the same ethnic group— collectively known as the Zo people. Though divided by international and state borders, they share a historic ethnic bond.

Nevertheless, an Indian Chief Minister's efforts to unify ethnic insurgent groups of Myanmar was a striking development, considering that India has maintained a dual approach in Myanmar since the February 2021 coup. India did not formally acknowledge the junta government but continued official relations to safeguard its economic and strategic interests. It also hosted individuals from the pro-democracy opposition camp at a seminar in New Delhi.