Amid speculation over a possible land exchange with Myanmar to resolve long-pending border issues, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said discussions are continuing on unsettled stretches of the India-Myanmar border but stopped short of confirming any agreement. The clarification comes as India pushes ahead with border fencing to strengthen security along the frontier.
MEA responds to land swap speculation
Reports suggesting that the Centre is considering a proposal to exchange around 1.44 square miles of territory with Myanmar have triggered discussions about a possible Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries.
Asked about the reports, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "There are certain areas on the border between the two countries which are still to be settled and discussions on those particular sectors are going on between the two sides."
While the government did not confirm any proposed land swap, the statement indicates that talks over unresolved border sectors remain underway.
Border fencing remains a priority
India shares a 1,643-kilometre border with Myanmar across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The Centre has accelerated fencing work and infrastructure development in recent years to curb illegal immigration, cross-border insurgency and drug trafficking.
The security situation has become more challenging following Myanmar's political turmoil since 2021, which has led to refugee inflows and affected border management, particularly in Manipur.
In December 2025, a section of newly constructed fencing in Manipur's Chandel district was damaged, prompting the registration of an FIR. Authorities have also cited theft of fencing materials, damage to infrastructure and security threats as hurdles to the project.
Government's security push
The Centre has also scrapped the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which earlier allowed border residents to travel up to 16 kilometres across the frontier without visas or travel documents.
In February 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced, "It has been decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved".
He had also said, "Out of the total border length, a 10 km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced. Furthermore, two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution. They will fence a stretch of 1 km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Additionally, fence works covering approx 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, and the work will start soon".
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has also said fencing work is progressing and would strengthen action against illegal immigration while helping regulate movement under the revised Free Movement Regime.