India’s northeastern region is rich in terms of diversity, cultural capital, tourism potential, human capital and natural resources. Years of neglect, enforced geographical isolation and discrimination led to not only under-development but also multiple insurgencies in last few decades. The region faced challenges of cross-border insurgency and tyranny of distance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic vision of making Northeast India as the gateway to Southeast Asia includes a roadmap for making Northeast secure. This means a comprehensive plan to protect borders and working with our neighboring nations in enhancing security.

Northeast India has international borders that are largely porous due to geographical conditions, making them susceptible to activities such as illegal immigration via crossing of borders.

Modi government committed itself to ensuring better border security, especially the crucial Dhubri section in Assam where the large Brahmaputra river is used as a cover for illegal infiltration. Use of technology has been at the forefront of the border fencing. The Government of India has taken an initiative to cover the area where physical fence is not feasible with non-physical barriers in the form of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS). It includes integration of manpower, sensors, networks, intelligence and command & control solutions to improve situational awareness at different levels of hierarchy to facilitate prompt and informed decision making and quick responses. In Phase-I, a Pilot project along 61 km riverine border in Dhubri, Assam along the border has been implemented. After evaluation of Phase-I of the project, subsequent phases will be rolled out in Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and West Bengal.

Nevertheless, the government also has been responsive to the local needs. With respect to the Myanmar border, the people to people links are strong on either side of the border. There is regular exchange of trade and medical facilities. The The Modi government signed the landmark Land Border Crossing Agreement on 11th May 2018 allowing people from both sides with valid visa and passports to travel up to 16 km inland without a special permit. Two check posts have been set up at Tamu-Moreh border and Rihkhawdar-Zowkhawtar border to facilitate the same.

Modi government has been reaching out to the neighboring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar for cooperation on the matters of security. Due to this, India has obtained the custody of insurgents belonging to terrorist organisations. Indian Army cooperates regularly with Myanmar Army to keep a check on insurgents on either side.

India has recently concluded the process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) to enlist the legitimate citizens of India and protect their rights.

The security situation in the North Eastern States has improved substantially since 2013. The year 2018 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency incidents and civilian deaths since 1997. Counter insurgency operations led to the neutralization of 34 militants and arrest of 804 militants in 2018.

Compared to 2013, insurgency incidents declined by 66%, civilian casualties by 79%, security forces casualties by 23% and kidnapping/abduction cases by 62% in the region in 2018. In 2019, the security situation has further improved in the region with a visible decline in insurgency incidents.

The improving situation can be seen from the fact that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was repealed from Tripura in 2015 after 18 years. AFSPA was removed from Meghalaya in 2018 after 27 years. This reflects on the successes of the Modi government in its commitment towards a secure Northeast.  

Broadly, the efforts taken to ensure safety and security in the northeastern region have yielded considerable success. The efforts have strengthened the ties and brought these regions at par with other parts of India.