Myanmar officially opens Indo-Myanmar international land border

The Indo-Myanmar international land border was officially opened by the Myanmar government on Wednesday. The ceremony was held at Tamu in Myanmar.

With the opening of the land border, the special land entry permission which was previously required for visitors entering the country via land routes had been abolished.

Myanmar's Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population Permanent secretary U Aye Lwin and Consul General of India in Myanmar attended the opening ceremony.

During the event, Consul General of India in Myanmar Nandan Singh Bahisora said, "This is a historic day for both the countries, a giant step in our bilateral relations and Act East policy".

According to reports, during the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on May 11, the agreement on land border crossing had been signed between the two countries at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Along with the land border point at Tamu-Moreh (India) the Rikhawadar (Chin state) and Zowkhawthar (Mizoram) was also opened.

The Consul General of India further said, "People from both the countries as well as third country, holding a valid passport and visa/e-visa can cross the land border. People can travel within the entire country and also can stay for the duration as specified in visa."

Earlier, Indians travelling to Myanmar had to hire a licensed guide costing about 60 dollars a day in addition to the special land route permit from the authority.

The agreement has also given provision of a border pass for the people living within the border area to travel within 16 km of the border on both sides without a permit.

India and Myanmar have taken up initiatives to improve road connectivity by undertaking two large projects, including the renovation of 69 bridges between Tamu and Kalay and the upgradation of road between Kalewa and Yargi. The projects are likely to be completed by 2020.