India suspended the movement of all cargo and goods from India’s Lawngtlai Autonomous District to Myanmar’s Paletwa Township in Chin State, as of 16 May 2025 until further notice.

An Arakan trader, currently in India’s Mizoram State said: “What we’ve heard is that India has tightened its border measures because of the India-Pakistan conflict. With the route now closed, we’re all stuck here.”

Arakan traders and wholesalers currently in India’s Lawngtlai District who have paid for goods there cannot ship the goods, intended for Arakan (Rakhine) State, into Myanmar.

Another Arakan trader said: “Some are getting ready to go back to Arakan State from India, but now they’re not allowed to take the goods they bought with them. People can return if they want, but transporting goods is banned. No one really knows how long it’ll be before the trade route opens again. If the goods don’t get through in time, there’ll be shortages in Arakan State, and prices will only go up even more.”

According to sources close to the Arakan Army (AA), the AA is in talks with Indian authorities to help resume the flow of goods stranded in Lawngtlai District.

Since fighting reignited in Arakan State in November 2023, the junta has imposed strict blockades on the flow of goods across the region. As a result, Arakan State residents have come to rely mainly on goods imported from India through Paletwa Township and then on to Arakan State. Basic food staples, medicine, consumer goods, and fuel are all imported from Lawngtlai District to Arakan State.

In 2024, the Central Young Lai Association (CYLA), based in Lawngtlai District, repeatedly blocked shipments of goods to Arakan State. In response, the AA intervened and held direct talks with the Mizoram State government to resolve the issue.

The AA has controlled all of Paletwa Township since 14 January 2024.