India's Aspiration to Become a Global Leader Hinges on Resolving Manipur Crisis

Can India dealing with instability in the Southeast Asian corridor position itself as a regional stabilising force?

Addressing the crisis in Manipur requires more than just policy changes. It advocates a strategic shift towards empathy as a tool for governance and nation-building – an approach that could heal domestic wounds and strengthen India's regional position.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The 19-month ongoing civil war-like crisis in Manipur is not just a tragedy of ethnic conflict but a profound test of India's federal framework and its aspirations as a regional power.

The conflict, which has torn apart the state's communal bonds, exposes vulnerabilities in governance, trust, and national cohesion. Beyond its domestic implications, the unrest also poses a serious challenge to India's ability to project stability and influence in Southeast Asia and its aspiration to become a global leader.

 As India strives for a leadership role in the Indo-Pacific through its Act East Policy and counterbalance China's growing influence in the region, the question arises:

Can a country dealing with such instability in the Southeast Asian corridor credibly position itself as a regional stabilising force?

Addressing the crisis in Manipur requires more than just policy changes. It advocates a strategic shift towards empathy as a tool for governance and nation-building – an approach that could heal domestic wounds and strengthen India's regional position.

The Crisis in Manipur 

The conflict in Manipur, which has pitted the Meitei majority against the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar tribal groups, is the culmination of decades of unresolved grievances tied to colonial legacies, economic marginalisation, and administrative neglect.

More than 60,000 were displaced, countless lives shattered, and an already fragile trust between communities further eroded, virtually to the point of no return. It exposes systemic failures of the country's democracy: displaced families, militarised youth, and marginalised communities silenced by the state and selective media narratives.

These are not mere statistics but lives uprooted by institutional neglect and historical grievances. 

The Manipur crisis stems from unresolved grievances over colonial policies that exacerbated ethnic divisions – the colonial amalgamation of erstwhile mutually sovereign realms into a single administrative unit of Manipur continues to sow distrust and disparity today in the language of a hill-valley divide.

Constitutional measures like the Sixth Schedule, meant to mitigate disparities and mend historical distrust, were never extended to the state. At the same time, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) continues to exacerbate mistrust between communities as well as towards the nation-state.

The voices bottled from Manipur are a mirror held in front of India – a nation aspiring to be a global leader. They are pleas for an accounting of what it means to be heard, to be safe, and to belong, which, if it fails to be listened to, will result in a loss of Indian voices and India's humanity. 

Manipur's significance lies in its being India's gateway to Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Myanmar, and connecting India to its Act East ambitions.

Prolonged unrest here weakens India's ability to act as a stabilising force in Myanmar's crisis-ridden landscape, complicates infrastructure projects, and disrupts trade routes vital to regional integration. Addressing these structural inequalities is a moral imperative and a strategic necessity for India's regional ambitions. 

Empathy as Strategy 

Empathy is often dismissed in policymaking as soft or sentimental. However, in contexts of deep-seated ethnic divisions, it is a strategic necessity. Globally, examples abound of empathy-driven approaches leading to long-term peace – from Nelson Mandela's reconciliation efforts in post-apartheid South Africa to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. 

 In Manipur, empathy begins with acknowledging the lived realities of those affected by the conflict: displaced families living in makeshift camps, women carrying the trauma of violence, and the youth whose futures have been derailed.

These are not isolated stories of suffering but the foundation for understanding what justice and reconciliation must look like. It highlights the erosion of trust in governance and the unbearable weight of survival.

Empathy demands we look beyond headlines and body counts to the quieter crises of shattered homes and disrupted futures.  What, then, would it mean to listen to these voices?

It would be to acknowledge the humanity of those who live at the margins, whose suffering is not incidental but central to understanding the roots of this crisis. It would be to recognise that resilience, while admirable, should not be the price for mere survival. It is to acknowledge that peace cannot be built on the silencing of those most affected by conflict.

Empathy also means listening to marginalised voices and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. It addresses long-standing grievances such as land rights, political representation, and equitable resource access.

In Manipur, governance prioritising justice and inclusion is not just morally right – it is the only way forward. 

Why This Matters for India's Regional Role

Manipur's centrality as the corridor to Southeast Asia in India's Act East Policy is highlighted in its being a cultural bridge with India's eastern neighbours.

More strategic for India is its centrality as a transit corridor for infrastructure projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project. Persistent unrest, however, jeopardises these initiatives, delaying India's integration with ASEAN economies and undermining its credibility as a regional stabiliser. 

China simultaneously expands its influence in Myanmar through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Projects like the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) demonstrate Beijing's ability to profit from instability in neighbouring countries.

If New Delhi fails to stabilise its Northeastern corridor, it risks losing strategic advantages to China, potentially having far-reaching consequences for India's regional ambitions and overall Indo-Pacific strategy. 

India's ambitions to be a leader in South and Southeast Asia and become a global leader rest on its ability to showcase stability and inclusivity. The Act East Policy aims to deepen ties with ASEAN countries and hinges on developing India's northeastern states, including Manipur.

However, the disruption of infrastructure projects and trade due to the ongoing crisis diminishes India's credibility as a reliable regional partner. Southeast Asian nations, already wary of China's assertiveness, look to India as a counterbalancing force. Yet, India's inability to manage its internal conflicts risks weakening its position. 

 Externally, unresolved conflicts weaken India's regional standing and create vacuums that competitors like China are eager to fill. India's internal instability allows Beijing to consolidate its influence further. To counter this, India must demonstrate that it can resolve domestic conflicts through inclusive governance, strengthening its position as a leader in forums like ASEAN and BIMSTEC. 

Empathy as India's Soft Power 

India's credibility as a democratic leader is based on its ability to manage diversity and internal conflicts. Internationally, unresolved crises such as Manipur call India's claims of inclusivity and governance into question.

For example, ASEAN countries concerned about Chinese aggression look to India for leadership, but ongoing unrest undermines India's ability to serve as a model of democratic resilience. 

Furthermore, India's leadership ambitions in multilateral forums such as BIMSTEC and the Indo-Pacific Quad depend on its ability to demonstrate stability at home. Successfully resolving the Manipur crisis would demonstrate India's commitment to inclusive governance, increasing its soft power and diplomatic leverage in the region. 

Empathy is not a sign of weakness. For India, it can be a strategic asset. By resolving the crisis in Manipur with empathy and inclusivity, India can showcase democratic resilience through dialogue and reforms, strengthening India's democratic principles and enhancing its credibility on the global stage. 

The erosion of faith in Manipur's police, judiciary, and political leadership has fuelled the unrest.

Empathy can guide reforms that make institutions more accountable and responsive to marginalised communities. Stability in Manipur strengthens India's ability to counter China's growing influence in Myanmar and the broader Indo-Pacific. 

The Cost of Inaction 

Ignoring Manipur's crisis risks far-reaching consequences. Prolonged unrest entrenches divisions, making reconciliation harder. It also tarnishes India's image as a functioning democracy capable of managing diversity and risks, reducing the world's largest democracy to a model of governance defined by apathy and exclusion. 

 Empathy is not just about acknowledging suffering but actively addressing it. For India, this means strengthening institutions, ensuring equitable development, and fostering a dialogue on justice and inclusion. History has shown that fractured societies can heal through empathy-driven initiatives.

 Externally, unresolved conflicts weaken India's regional standing and create vacuums that competitors like China are eager to fill. They also embolden separatist movements in other Northeastern states, further destabilising the region.

Manipur's crisis tests India's commitment and ability to navigate the complexities of diversity and democracy. It is also a test of its credibility as a regional power. The stakes couldn't be higher for a country aspiring to lead in South and Southeast Asia. Empathy, far from being a luxury, is the foundation of resilience. 

 By addressing Manipur's crisis with empathy, India can heal its fractured society and strengthen its position as a regional leader. The world is watching. It is time for India to rise to the occasion.

Will it choose to listen to its most vulnerable voices, or will it let them fade into silence? The answer will shape not only Manipur's future but the nation's unity.

(Sangmuan Hangsing is a Public Policy student at the Kautilya School of Public Policy. This is an opinion piece, and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)