Mugdha Das

Mizoram seeks to resume border talks with Assam

Digital desk: The Mizoram home department is planning a third letter to be sent to the Assam government on the resumption of minister-level negotiations since the proposed next round of minister-level talks on the border issue between the two states has yet to begin.

According to a report by Times of India, an official stated that the letter would be sent shortly because there has been no reaction to their overtures from the Assam counterpart, even though the meeting is supposed to take place before March 31.

He claimed that despite questions being sent about the upcoming session of negotiations in Guwahati and some explanations requested by the Mizoram government, the Assam government has remained silent.

"We feel that Assam is dragging its feet on the proposed resumption of talks as it was proposed to hold official-level talks to sort out modalities and nitty-gritty before the minister-level negotiation is held in Guwahati," the official, who requested anonymity, stated.

According to a joint statement released on August 9 last year following minister-level meetings in Aizawl, "Both states agreed to continue to promote and maintain peace and harmony while preventing any untoward incidents along the interstate border. The next round of talks should commence before January 31, 2025."

The state guest house in Aizawl served as the venue for the last round of talks. Home Minister K Sapdanga led the Mizoram delegation, while Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora led the Assam team.

Notably, the districts of Cachar, Karmganj, and Hailakandi in Assam share a 164.6-kilometer interstate boundary with those of Aizawl, Kolasib, and Mamit in Mizoram.