India’s Act East Policy and Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Indo-Myanmar Border Town, Moreh in Manipur

The formulation and implementation of India's Look East Policy (Now Act East Policy) in the 1990s by the Government of India led to conflict and contestation between ethnicity-based militant organisations for domination and control of Moreh and its business activities, causing violent inter-ethnic conflicts. For instance, violent conflicts occurred between the Kuki-Naga, Kuki-Tamil, and Kuki-Meitei in the town (Moreh) in different periods, which not only resulted in the loss of lives and properties but also affected the proper functioning of border trade or India’s (Look) Act East Policy. The frequent imposition of bandhs, strikes, and economic blockades along the national highway as a sign of grievance reprisal has disrupted the smooth functioning of border trade between India and Myanmar or India’s Act East. The author used primary and secondary sources, conducted the field survey from January to June 2019, and interviewed leaders of Civil Society Organisations and other relevant individuals for the studies. The data has been qualitatively analysed to understand the problems of India’s Act East Policy due to the presence and operation of various ethnicity-based militant organisations in the border region. It also argues the importance of solving the militancy problems for the smooth functioning of India's (Look) Act East Policy.