Resource Wars: The Hidden Economic Interests Behind Conflicts in Manipur and Chin State
The ongoing conflicts in Manipur, India, and Chin State, Myanmar, are often seen through the lens of ethnic strife and political instability. However, beneath the surface lies a crucial but less-discussed factor: resource extraction and geopolitical competition. Both regions are rich in minerals, hydrocarbons, and other valuable natural resources, making them prime targets for economic exploitation. This article explores how these conflicts may be linked to strategic interests in resource extraction and regional control.
Manipur is home to chromite, limestone, and hydrocarbon reserves. In recent years, the Indian central government has taken steps to grant mining permits to private firms, particularly in the ophiolite belt, which contains large deposits of chromite (used in stainless steel production). Other valuable minerals, including limestone, have also attracted industrial interest.
Additionally, oil and natural gas exploration in Manipur has been on the rise, with various companies conducting surveys to assess potential reserves. The presence of these resources has made Manipur a significant area for economic expansion—raising questions about whether ongoing conflicts serve as a distraction while resources are secured for large-scale extraction.
Chin State, located across the border in Myanmar, is also rich in minerals, hydrocarbons, and rare earth elements. While Myanmar’s military government has largely controlled resource extraction, foreign corporations—particularly from China and India—have shown increasing interest in energy and mineral projects in the region.
Both Manipur and Chin State have experienced prolonged ethnic conflicts, leading to heavy militarization. In Manipur, ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have resulted in large-scale violence and displacement. In Chin State, ongoing clashes between ethnic militias and Myanmar’s military junta have caused significant instability.
Militarization serves multiple purposes:
Control over resource-rich areas: Heavy troop deployment ensures that valuable mineral zones remain accessible for extraction.
Displacement of local communities: By forcing indigenous populations to flee, resistance to large-scale mining and energy projects is weakened.
Suppression of local activism: Indigenous groups opposing resource extraction face repression under the guise of maintaining security.
Conflicts often result in mass displacement, which can create opportunities for corporations and governments to gain access to lands that were previously occupied by indigenous groups.
In Manipur, ethnic violence has led to thousands being displaced, making it easier for the government to push forward with mining and oil extraction projects.
In Chin State, instability has forced many to flee to India, reducing resistance to Chinese and Myanmar government-backed projects in the region.
India’s Act East Policy aims to strengthen economic ties with Southeast Asia, making Manipur and Chin State crucial geographical zones.
Infrastructure projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, connecting India to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port, show India’s commitment to using this corridor for trade and resource access.
Ensuring political and military control over Manipur and securing influence in Chin State helps India counter China’s growing presence in Myanmar’s resource sector.
China has invested heavily in mining, energy, and infrastructure projects in Myanmar, particularly in Kachin, Shan, and Chin states. By securing control over natural resources and trade routes, China strengthens its economic dominance in the region.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) includes projects in Myanmar that give it access to critical minerals and energy supplies.
India, on the other hand, is seeking to counterbalance this influence by developing its own economic corridors through Myanmar and Northeast India.
Are the Conflicts a Cover for Resource Extraction?
While ethnic tensions are genuine and deeply rooted, it is difficult to ignore the economic incentives behind these conflicts. The escalation of violence in resource-rich areas raises questions about whether instability is being exploited to facilitate large-scale mining, oil extraction, and infrastructure projects.
In both Manipur and Chin State, conflicts have created conditions where governments and corporations can expand their economic influence with less local resistance. The geopolitical competition between India and China further complicates the situation, as both nations seek to control vital trade routes and resource deposits in the region.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to examine who benefits from these conflicts—whether it is the local populations or external economic and political powers. Without addressing these underlying economic interests, peace in these regions may remain elusive.
