It is a bilateral agreement between India and Myanmar that allows people living along the border to travel up to 16km across the international boundary without a visa for 72 hours, provided they carry a border pass. It is applied along the India-Myanmar international border, which stretches about 1,643 km passing through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
People belonging to tribal communities living on both sides of the border can use it. These communities often share, ethnic ties, cultural and familial relations, and economic dependencies.
Objectives:
1.Preserve historical, ethnic and cultural ties
2.Allow ease of access for tribal communities
3.Promote cross-border trade and goodwill
4.Reduce the sense of isolation in remote border areas
Challenges:
1.Cross-border movement of militants and insurgents
2.Smuggling of arms, narcotics and contraband
3.Misuse of FMR by non-tribal illegal immigrants from Myanmar
