Tribes Dream of a United Nagaland: Al Jazeera

Borders drawn by British colonialists for Myanmar and India divided indigenous peoples with long histories in the region. Though checkpoints and mountains divide the two nations, Naga tribes still talk about uniting the 3 million people living in India with the 400,000 in north Myanmar, one of that country’s poorest regions. The tribes, more fragmented over the years, also differ over rebel groups fighting for unification on either side. “Many from Myanmar cross the border to attend school, sell vegetables or visit a hospital, as it is a days-long journey by foot to the nearest town in Myanmar,” reports Al Jazeera. “The Naga on both sides enjoy some degree of autonomy, but there is a huge disparity in the level of development.” Covid-19 forced a complete border shutdown, dividing some communities. The Indian government provided emergency rations, while Myanmar has not yet done so. Indian-Myanmar relations improved in recent years: “Myanmar is hungry for new allies after being snubbed by the West over the Rohingya crisis, while India is keen to counter China's regional influence over its smaller neighbour.” Reunification is unlikely, and the best Myanmar Naga can hope for, explains Bertil Lintner, who has reported on the region for YaleGlobal, is more autonomy within the country. – YaleGlobal