International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Assessing the Impact of the Myanmar Civil Conflict on India’s Northeast Border Security and Mizoram and Manipur Demographics

The military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, precipitated a civil conflict that has transformed into one of the most destabilizing crises in South and Southeast Asia. By 2026, the repercussions of this conflict have extended far beyond Myanmar's borders, profoundly affecting India's north-eastern states—particularly Mizoram and Manipur, which share a 1,643-kilometer porous border with Myanmar. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of the Myanmar civil conflict on India's Northeast border security and the demographic transformations occurring in Mizoram and Manipur. Drawing on policy documents, media reports, academic literature, and official statistics, the analysis reveals that the conflict has generated a complex humanitarian-security nexus characterized by large-scale refugee flows, ethnic tensions, cross-border criminal networks, and significant demographic shifts. The paper argues that the crisis has exposed fundamental weaknesses in India's border management framework, refugee policy, and federal coordination mechanisms. It further contends that the demographic changes unfolding in Mizoram and Manipur—driven by ethnic kinship ties and conflict-induced displacement—are reshaping the socio-political landscape of the region in ways that carry long-term implications for India's internal security, federal politics, and Act East Policy ambitions. The study concludes by recommending a differentiated, region-specific strategy that balances humanitarian obligations with security imperatives while addressing the underlying drivers of demographic anxiety and ethnic conflict.