In a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, the call for the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) marks a pivotal moment for India and the South-East Asian region. With the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) advocating for constitutional recognition and legislative, executive, and financial autonomy under Article 371 (A), this movement goes beyond regional governance. It represents a transformative opportunity for India to reimagine its borders, strengthen strategic ties with neighbouring Myanmar, and enhance its influence in a region increasingly shaped by external powers. The Frontier Nagaland Territory could become a critical linchpin, uniting local aspirations for self-governance with broader goals of socio-political and economic justice, regional development, national security, and diplomacy at the heart of an evolving Indo-Pacific.
The call for the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) by the Eastern Naga people, led by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), represents more than an administrative shift within India’s governance framework. It holds significant geopolitical implications for South-East Asia, particularly in the context of Indo-Myanmar relations. Situated on India’s northeastern frontier and bordering Myanmar, Eastern Nagaland remains one of the nation’s most remote and underdeveloped regions, burdened by considerable socio-economic challenges, severe development deficits, and a deep sense of marginalisation among its people. Meeting the aspirations for a distinct Frontier Nagaland Territory would fulfil long-standing local demands while reshaping South-East Asia’s strategic landscape. The establishment of FNT could enable the India to safeguard the constitutional rights of the local population, reinforce ties with Myanmar through innovative and constructive collaboration between the FNT and Myanmar’s Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ), and affirm India’s commitment to justice, inclusivity, stability, and progress in these sensitive border areas.
Establishing the Frontier Nagaland Territory could stabilise an economically disadvantaged, historically sensitive, and complex region. The extensive India-Myanmar border is home to various Naga tribes, and creating the Frontier Nagaland Territory would signal India’s commitment to addressing both the socio-economic and political concerns of its most marginalised eastern Naga border communities. This move would foster a sense of justice, inclusion, unity, and belonging among Eastern Naga tribes on both sides of the border (In short, any event-good or bad that happens in Eastern Nagaland impacts the socio-political-economic dynamics of NSAZ). The Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ) in Myanmar, a marginalised region that depends on India-particularly Eastern Nagaland-for basic necessities (medicines, salt, sugar, medical treatments, fuel etc), would also benefit. Recognising the Frontier Nagaland Territory could ease complex cross-border challenges, bridge the development gap, and affirm India’s commitment to embracing ethnic identities within its democratic framework through constitutional empowerment. If successful, this initiative could inspire similar models across other historically neglected border areas within India.
On a broader scale, Frontier Nagaland could play a vital role in advancing India’s “Act East” policy, serving as a bridge of “Truth, Compassion, Unity, Progress and Justice” between India and Myanmar through the active participation of local stakeholders and local indigenous/cultural entities in proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory and Naga Self Administered Zone in Myanmar. Positioned as a gateway, the Frontier Nagaland Territory has the potential to enhance India’s presence in the Indo-Myanmar corridor, an area of strategic importance given its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region. By investing in infrastructure, launching socioeconomic development initiatives, establishing alternate trade routes (such as Tuensang Town-Noklak Town-International Trade Center, DAN-Lahe Town (Sagaing region), the headquarters of Myanmar’s Naga Self-Administered Zone-Hkamti Town-Yangon/Mandalay via river routes), and fortifying security frameworks in collaboration with the common local Eastern Naga population and also through modernised local Village Guards Forces, India can nurture a stable environment; secure and conducive to regional trade, commerce and cultural exchange. This approach would strengthen connectivity with South-East Asia, offering Myanmar-considerably influenced by China-a viable alternative partner in an empowered Frontier Nagaland, positioning India as a balanced and reliable regional ally.
The establishment of Frontier Nagaland would also subtly counterbalance growing U.S. involvement in South-East Asia, where the United States, as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, has sought to strengthen partnerships to limit China’s reach. Although India values its strategic relationship with the U.S., it remains cautious about foreign interference, particularly in sensitive northeastern borderlands where complicated issues intersect.
Economic development would be a critical component in the success of the Frontier Nagaland Territory, addressing the chronic underdevelopment issues that have long fuelled resentment in the region. A dedicated administration with self-governance for Frontier Nagaland would enable targeted investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, laying a foundation for economic growth. This approach would also empower local communities, giving them a direct role in shaping their own economic future. Enhanced infrastructure could position Eastern Nagaland as a key transit hub, boosting bilateral trade between India and Myanmar. This development aligns with India’s “Act East” policy and complements major projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, which aims to connect India with South-East Asia.
The economic vitality of an empowered Frontier Nagaland Territory could attract foreign investment and offer a viable alternative to trade routes dominated by China, creating fresh opportunities for South-East Asian trade through an alternate route in India. The establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) could offer India a strategic alternative to U.S. influence in South-East Asia, where Western governance models often reflect external strategic objectives. India’s approach-emphasising socio-economic-political justice, locally rooted solutions, and regional autonomy through constitutional mechanism-could serve as a model for South-East Asian nations seeking more balanced, community-focused development frameworks. With the Frontier Nagaland Territory, India would address long-standing demands for equitable development, political representation, and social justice, demonstrating its capacity to resolve regional aspirations within a constitutional framework. By creating the FNT, India would showcase a commitment to governance that prioritises local needs, respects the voices of communities seeking constitutional justice, and strengthens India’s influence in the Indo-Myanmar region and beyond. This initiative has to empower the people of Eastern Nagaland through legislative, executive, and financial autonomy they seek, setting an example of socially inclusive governance for other multi-ethnic countries in South-East Asia.
The establishment of Frontier Nagaland could reshape power dynamics across South-East Asia. As China pushes forward with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India’s multi-aligned approach offers a cautious yet strategic counterbalance to Beijing’s influence. A well-developed Frontier Nagaland Territory could position India to create an additional economic corridor that reduces Myanmar’s dependency on China, enhancing India’s role as a regional partner in trade, development, and peace-building efforts. By advancing local infrastructure and promoting cross-border trade, Frontier Nagaland could empower eastern Naga communities economically, spurring growth across India’s northeastern region. Through the political, economic, and financial empowerment of these communities, Frontier Nagaland could strengthen ties with Myanmar via the Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ), paving the way for deeper cooperation with ASEAN countries and reinforcing India’s strategic influence in South-East Asia.
The Frontier Nagaland Territory could become a central element of India’s Act East strategy. It would affirm India’s role in independently fostering regional stability and prosperity in constructive collaboration with the Eastern Naga communities, paving the way for broader growth and prosperity across South-East Asia.
Dr. Aniruddha Babar, based in Nagaland, is a renowned researcher, lawyer, and policy analyst, widely regarded as an authority on the 6th Schedule, Part VIII, and Article 371A of the Constitution of India.
