Mizoram and Assam Gear Up for Pivotal Border Talks

Mizoram and Assam are set to engage in ministerial-level talks to address their longstanding border dispute, with delegations led by their respective ministers. The dispute, rooted in colonial-era demarcations, has caused conflict, including a violent episode in July 2021. Both states aim for a peaceful resolution.

Mizoram and Assam will hold crucial ministerial-level talks on Friday to tackle a longstanding border dispute, an official said. The meeting, set for 4 pm at the state guest house in Aizawl, aims to resolve the issues that have plagued both northeastern states.

The Mizoram delegation, led by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, and Assam's team, headed by Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora, will engage in the first border discussion since the Zoram People's Movement, helmed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, took office last December.

Post-discussion, Bora and his team are scheduled for a courtesy meeting with Lalduhoma before departing for Guwahati on Saturday. Sapdanga expressed optimism, noting the adherence to the status quo on disputed areas since August 2021 border talks.

Despite scheduling clashes, mainly due to Lok Sabha elections, the talks, initially planned for February between Lalduhoma and Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will finally take place. The border dispute, encompassing 164.6 km and rooted in colonial demarcations from 1875 and 1933, heightened in July 2021 when clashes resulted in casualties.

Several ministerial-level meetings since August 2021 have promoted peace and ongoing dialogue. The last talks in November 2022 in Guwahati saw Mizoram submitting detailed information to bolster its claims. The upcoming meeting aims to continue this progress toward a mutual resolution.

(With inputs from agencies.)