India interior ministry recommends suspending free movement with Myanmar


  • World
  • Thursday, 08 Feb 2024

FILE PHOTO A person walks on a bridge that connects Myanmar and India at the border village of Zokhawthar  Champhai district in Indias northeastern state of Mizoram India March 12 2021. REUTERSRupak De Chowdhuri

FILE PHOTO: A person walks on a bridge that connects Myanmar and India at the border village of Zokhawthar, Champhai district, in India's northeastern state of Mizoram, India, March 12, 2021. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's interior ministry has recommended the immediate suspension of its free movement regime with Myanmar, Interior Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday.

The free movement regime allows people from both countries to travel visa-free across borders for a few kilometres.

Since a military coup in Myanmar in 2021, hundreds of civilians and troops have fled to Indian states where communities between the two countries share ethnic and familial ties. This has worried New Delhi because of risks of tensions spreading to India.

Myanmar's military rulers last week extended a state of emergency in place since the coup, as the junta battles to contain a bloody, pro-democracy rebellion that has severely tested its ability to govern.

(Reporting by Bansari Mayur Kamdar in New Delhi; Editing by Kim Coghill and Himani Sarkar)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read


All Headlines:

Want to listen to full audio?

Unlock unlimited access to enjoy personalise features on the TheStar.com.my

Already a member? Log In