21 February 2026 — Trade routes connecting India’s Mizoram State and Chin State’s Paletwa township were fully reopened on the morning of February 20 after being temporarily closed following the death of an Indian truck driver.
The reopening came after discussions between officials of the Arakan Army (AA) and authorities from Lawngtlai District in India. Trade routes within Lawngtlai District, which had been suspended, have now resumed.
According to the Development Media Group, a Rakhine trader in India stated that trading activities resumed the following morning after talks between the AA and CLYA on 19 February. Traders from Lawngtlai and other districts have already resumed operations.
The routes were initially closed by the Indian side for two months after an Indian cargo driver was killed on 12 February in Shin Let Wa, Paletwa township, which has been under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).
Earlier, on 17 February, trade routes in Siaha District were reopened. With the reopening of border gates in Lawngtlai District on 20 February, all trade routes have now resumed normal operations.
Traders stressed that the India–Rakhine trade route is vital for Rakhine State and urged authorities to prevent future disruptions. They also called on traders and drivers to comply with official regulations.
Rakhine State has relied heavily on the Indian trade route due to ongoing restrictions under the Myanmar’s military council’s “four cuts” policy. However, repeated closures have caused economic hardship in the region. – Reporting by Ben
