What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
In recent years, the North-East region of India has become a flashpoint for a rapidly expanding illicit opium trade, fueled by political elites, local tribal leadership, and, increasingly, external religious and political influences. The 2021 United Nations report points to Myanmar’s Shan, Chin, and Kachin as epicentres of this booming industry, with cultivation zones spilling into India’s states of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Today, this illegal cultivation covers more than 1.2 lakh acres in Myanmar and another estimated 20,000 acres in India, turning this region into one of the world’s largest illegal opium hubs. This troubling trend transforms Nagaland and Mizoram into central peddling grounds, with local political elites and tribal leadership deeply enmeshed in the trade.
The expanding opium cultivation in North-East India is not merely a matter of illegal agriculture; it has implications for public health, governance, and national security. By enabling a steady flow of funds to separatist groups, the drug trade is inadvertently strengthening insurgency efforts that threaten stability across the region. For instance, the Kangleopak Communist Party (KCP), active in Manipur, is reportedly deeply involved in the cultivation and trade of opium. Additionally, separatist groups such as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) are also said to benefit from this illicit economy, reportedly collecting a “kani” tax—a local term for opium—on the drug’s distribution and trade. As these groups fund their operations with drug money, the North-East region risks slipping deeper into a state of endemic violence and lawlessness.
Not only are local insurgent groups benefiting, but this illicit economy also links the North-East to a broader web of international narco-trade. Laos, for example, has emerged as a hub for the processing of raw opium into heroin and other opioids, which are then funneled into lucrative markets across Asia and beyond. With India’s sub-Himalayan region serving as an increasingly significant base for these exports, the North-East’s transformation into a drug trafficking hub has international ramifications. This situation echoes the “Great Game” of colonial times, with new players and alliances complicating the already volatile political landscape. The presence of drug cartels, the deepening role of regional and global actors, and the allure of quick profits all threaten to destabilize the delicate political and social balance in the region.
Historically, colonial powers introduced opium cultivation to the North-East, exploiting local resources and labour for profit, and this legacy has left its mark. Over time, local elites and tribal leaders took over the reins of the drug trade, often benefiting from strong political and social connections. But this involvement has also drawn on support from external influences, including the spread of American Baptist missions in Arunachal Pradesh’s Mishmi tribe areas. Here, Christian missionary groups have ostensibly taken on the role of helping combat addiction, yet these areas are reported to have some of the highest concentrations of poppy cultivation and peddling. The influence of the American Baptist Mission—often aligned with pro-Christian Zionist ideals—raises uncomfortable questions about the intersection of religion and drug economies in these tribal areas.
The dynamics in North-East India are further complicated by geography. Nagaland, for instance, serves as a strategic link state, bordering Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, Manipur to the south, and Mizoram further south. This positioning has turned it into a transit point for trafficking operations spanning Myanmar, Northeast India, and even Nepal. As the United Nations report highlights, the vast sub-Himalayan region could see a further spillover of opium cultivation, affecting states like Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar, as well as regions in Nepal. Should this happen, the health, social, and economic costs could be devastating for a much larger population.
Beyond the immediate risks, the drug trade in the North-East also poses a unique challenge to India’s internal security. As the illicit opium economy strengthens, it feeds into the undercurrents of Maoist insurgency, which has been mostly dormant in recent years. If the funds from drug trafficking revive Maoist circuits from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the consequences could be dire for India’s stability. The threat of a revitalized Maoist movement is particularly concerning, given that similar drug-based funding patterns have bolstered Maoist activity along the Andhra-Odisha border, where cannabis cultivation has thrived in recent years. The opium-fueled insurgency could thus span a vast area from India’s northeast to its central belt, undoing years of counter-insurgency efforts.
The potential fallout from this situation is vast, impacting public health, regional stability, and international relations. Within the Indian subcontinent, the growth of illicit opium export bases represents a grave health hazard. Opioid addiction, as seen globally, can devastate communities, and the North-East is already witnessing the early signs of this crisis. But the danger extends beyond public health. The combination of local elites, tribal leaders, insurgents, and even foreign actors positions the North-East as a pawn in a larger, high-stakes game—a “Great Game Zone” of narco-trade, political manoeuvring, and cultural shifts.
Addressing this issue demands a comprehensive, multi-layered approach. The Indian government, alongside local administrations and tribal leaders, must work to disincentivize opium cultivation while offering alternative livelihoods. Stronger cooperation with Myanmar and Laos is essential, as regional stability depends on curbing drug trafficking across borders. Additionally, more transparent oversight is needed over religious and international groups operating in the region to prevent unintended complicity in the drug trade.
This burgeoning opium economy is a critical threat to the North-East’s future. While international actors and historical forces have shaped this crisis, local political and tribal elites now bear responsibility as its main enablers. Addressing this issue is imperative to secure not only the stability of the North-East but also to protect the broader integrity of India and its people from the scourge of drugs and insurgency.
