The military council has responded to statements made by a Manipur state parliamentarian regarding the Tamu-Kabaw Valley region in Sagaing Division. The military council spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stated that Myanmar and India maintain friendly relations as neighboring countries and that Myanmar is cooperating with India’s Act East Policy. He also emphasized that Myanmar does not harbor any groups that oppose the Indian government using Myanmar territory.
Zaw Min Tun recalled that in 2013, India’s opposition BJP party had previously campaigned on promises to reclaim the Kabaw Valley region, which includes Tamu, Kalay, and Minkyin townships. This had prompted protests from local residents in Kalay and Minkyin at the time. He urged Indian politicians to avoid actions that could damage bilateral relations between the two countries for the sake of political gain, stating that they should respect Myanmar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The military council spokesperson indicated that Myanmar would continue to address and communicate about this issue as necessary.
It was reported that Mizoram State MP K. Vanlalvena had visited the Indo-Myanmar border areas and met with the Chin National Front (CNF), Chin National Army (CNA), and Chin People’s Defense Force groups. Additionally, during an Indian Upper House session, a parliamentarian from Manipur state had claimed the region historically belonged to India. The demand stems from the 1834 Kabaw Valley Agreement and the 1826 Treaty of Yandabo following the First Anglo-Burmese War, with the Manipur representative calling for either continued payment of prescribed compensation by Myanmar or the return of the Kabaw Valley region to be incorporated into Manipur state.
