Narco-terrorism is no longer a localized issue. The Golden Triangle, producing the majority of its opium in Myanmar, has evolved into a hub for synthetic drugs like methamphetamine.
How does a region celebrated for its natural beauty and cultural diversity also find itself at the crossroads of an insidious narco-terrorism crisis? Sharing around 1,643 km border with Myanmar, which is a key component of the infamous Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand), India’s northeastern states, particularly Manipur, face the sinister nexus of narcotics, terrorism, and transnational crime. The resulting challenges threaten to undermine not just regional stability but also India’s national security and international standing.
A BREWING THREAT
Narco-terrorism is no longer a localized issue. The Golden Triangle, producing the majority of its opium in Myanmar, has evolved into a hub for synthetic drugs like methamphetamine. These drugs enter India through porous borders, with Manipur serving as a primary gateway. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug seizures in the region have surged in recent years, reflecting an alarming escalation in trafficking activities.
The impact extends beyond the drugs themselves. The profits fund insurgent groups, sustaining their operations and weaponizing communities against the state. Groups such as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), small groups of Kukis and Zomis exploit the drug trade to finance arms purchases, build their camps to train recruits and use them to smuggle drugs, all in all, to perpetuate cycles of violence. A Manipur Police report revealed that from March 2022 to May 2023, Rs 142 crores worth of narcotics were seized, with over 764 arrests under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
This crisis has also torn the social fabric. Manipur’s youth are disproportionately affected, with rising addiction rates fuelling a public health epidemic. Data from the government and the UN shows that states like Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland have the highest HIV prevalence in India, primarily due to needle sharing among injecting drug users. Moreover, the illicit networks facilitating drug trafficking often overlap with human trafficking and illegal arms smuggling, creating a comprehensive security threat.
EXPANSION THROUGH REGIONAL INSTABILITY
The geopolitical instability in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup has further exacerbated the problem. According to the UNODC’s “Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023,” opium cultivation in Myanmar increased by 18%, reaching 47,100 hectares. The report noted that this was the highest yield since 2001, making Myanmar the world’s largest source of opium. This surge has bolstered narcotics flows into India, with Manipur’s insurgent groups acting as intermediaries.
The political turmoil in Bangladesh has introduced a new and alarming dimension to regional instability. The rise of Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate turned head of state, has proven to be a catalyst for policies that could severely undermine South Asian security. His regime was ushered in by an illegal coup and celebrated on international platforms and by the deep state.
One of the most controversial moves by the Yunus administration has been the abrupt withdrawal of mandatory security clearance for Pakistani nationals seeking Bangladeshi visas. Effective December 2024, this policy overturns measures implemented to curtail infiltration by terror-linked individuals. Moreover, Yunus’ government has exhibited a concerning pro-Islamist stance, lifting the ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir—a group banned globally for its extremist propaganda—and resetting diplomatic ties with Pakistan under the guise of “resolving historical grievances.” This, surprisingly, includes diluting Bangladesh’s demands for an apology from Pakistan for the 1971 genocide, a move that many in Bangladesh view as a betrayal of the country’s history and the victims of one of the 20th century’s most brutal conflicts.
India faces direct consequences from these shifts. The relaxed visa norms and customs exemptions create opportunities for insurgent groups to smuggle arms, explosives, and narcotics across the Indo-Bangladesh border. As such, the influx of heroin and synthetic drugs via Bangladesh could exacerbate the already dire drug crisis in India’s Northeast.
These developments highlight the concerning convergence of destabilizing factors: Myanmar’s escalating chaos, Yunus’ Islamist agenda in Bangladesh, and Pakistan’s deepened involvement in transnational criminal networks. Together, they form a nexus that threatens regional stability and India’s security framework. Adding complexity is the role of external actors like China and Pakistan. Reports indicate their covert support to elements that incited ethnic violence in Manipur. The strategic aim is precise: destabilize the region to weaken India’s grip over the Northeast. Such confluences of Myanmar’s chaos and Bangladesh’s political shifts create an environment ripe for drug syndicates to thrive.
EXTERNAL INFLUENCE AND WESTERN HYPOCRISY
Narco-terrorism in Northeast India also reveals the double standards of the global community. While Western nations have aggressively tackled the drug trade in regions like Afghanistan and Latin America, India’s concerns about the Golden Triangle often go unacknowledged.
Yet, when India raises similar concerns about the Golden Triangle, it is met with scepticism. The West’s reaction to India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a case in point. While the Act sought to provide refuge to religious minorities fleeing persecution in the region, it was criticized as discriminatory, ignoring its humanitarian and national security context. Meanwhile, India’s efforts to address illegal migration from Myanmar, including concerns about the Rohingya, have been dismissed as heavy-handed despite clear evidence of links between these movements and criminal syndicates.
The hypocrisy lies in the selective validation of threats. While the US framed the drug trade in Afghanistan and Colombia as existential risks, India’s equally valid concerns are often marginalized. This not only undermines India’s sovereignty but also reflects a glaring inconsistency in global counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics policies.
THE ROAD AHEAD
India has made commendable strides in combating narco-terrorism. In Manipur, initiatives like “War on Drugs” (2018), “Nisha Thadoklasi” (2018), and “War on Drugs 2.0” (2022) have seen the destruction of over 18,000 acres of poppy cultivation since 2017, a step in the right direction. However, the scope of the problem demands more than localized efforts. A comprehensive approach combining complex security measures with diplomatic engagement is imperative.
The fight against narco-terrorism is not just about securing borders; it is about protecting the aspirations of millions who deserve a future free from the shadows of violence and addiction. India’s response must be as complex and adaptive as the threat itself—rooted in resilience, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to justice. This is an instrument of external and internal security that threatens a pluralistic democracy through external non state actors.
* Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of JNU.