Speculation is rife about a plan being considered by the Indian government to exchange territory with neighboring Myanmar to facilitate demarcation of a part of the boundary that has remained unresolved for decades.
An official document seen by The Diplomat mentions a proposal being examined by the Indian government to complete the demarcation of the boundary between border pillars 65 and 68 along Manipur’s border with Myanmar. The document says 1.4 squar miles is “proposed” to be exchanged with Myanmar following a proposal from the foreign secretary.
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 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 Indian state of Manipur shares a 398 km border with Myanmar. The boundary demarcation was done by the Joint Boundary Commission of the two countries, which was constituted after they signed an agreement in 1967. In 2018, the government informed Parliament that 171 km would be demarcated through a boundary mechanism established by both countries. This would include identification and erection of nine border pillars.
