Assam and Mizoram Set for Ministerial Talks to Resolve Border Dispute

Assam and Mizoram are scheduled to hold high-level talks aimed at resolving their long-standing border dispute. The ministerial meeting will take place in Aizawl, Mizoram's capital, with key officials from both states expected to attend.

Assam and Mizoram are set to engage in ministerial-level discussions on Friday to address their enduring border dispute. The crucial meeting will occur in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram.

Leading the Assam delegation will be Border Protection & Development Minister Atul Bora, accompanied by state government officials. Mizoram's representation will be headed by Home Minister K Sapdanga. Bora mentioned that this will be the first meeting with Mizoram's new government, adding that Assam had previously conducted talks with the former Mizoram administration regarding this issue.

The last negotiations took place in November 2021 and November 2022. The ongoing border dispute affects three districts in Mizoram—Kolasib, Aizawl, and Mamit—which share a 164.6 km border with Assam's districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj.

Assam recognizes the constitutional boundary established by Notification No. 2106 A.P dated 09.03.1933 and reinforced by the State of Mizoram Act, 1986. Conversely, Mizoram advocates for the boundary defined by the Inner Line Notification No. 2299P dated 20.08.1875, citing historical and ethnic reasons. Previous agreements, including a tripartite mechanism for boundary delineation, have been on maintaining the status quo.

Notably, the dispute escalated to violence in July 2021, leading to the deaths of seven Assam police personnel and injuries to several others. Subsequently, multiple rounds of discussions have aimed at finding a peaceful solution. Mizoram, initially a union territory carved out of Assam in 1972, became a state in 1987. Over time, Mizoram has increasingly disputed the border with Assam.