International Relations
India, Myanmar to relax land visa norms
- 03 Aug 2018
- 2 min read
India and Myanmar, are set to relax visa norms for land border crossing through Moreh (Manipur) and Tamu (Myanmar).
Key Highlights
- It will provide a major fillip to connectivity between the North-Eastern States and Myanmar.
NOTE: India and Myanmar share an unfenced border of 1,643 km, touching Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).
Free Movement Regime (FMR)
- The Free Movement Regime is a unique travel arrangement between India and Myanmar.
- FMR permits the tribes residing along the border to travel 16-km across the boundary without visa restrictions.
- The FMR helps tribes across the border to maintain their age-old ties.
- Currently, Indians travelling to Myanmar have to apply for a permit which takes 20-30 days to arrive. Also, for land travel, Indians have to pay $40 for a tour guide, over and above the visa fees.
- Under the new norms, Myanmar will scrap the provision for a permit on land travel, making it easier for both tourists and business travellers to take the land route.
- New visa norms will give a major boost to the trade ties between the North-East and Myanmar.
- Improved connectivity will also help Manipur to attract patients from Myanmar to the super-speciality hospitals in the State.
