Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Manipur on September 13, 2025, comes after more than two and a half years of escalating ethnic violence, displacement, and political unrest in the northeastern state. While many had hoped that his presence would herald tangible solutions to the ongoing crisis, the reality is far more complex—if not deeply troubling.
Manipur’s current turmoil is not simply a local dispute but one that involves deep-rooted ethnic divisions, historical grievances, and competing political ambitions. The continued absence of an effective, inclusive government capable of addressing these concerns has left the people mired in uncertainty and suffering. Despite repeated calls for intervention, the Centre’s approach under Narendra Modi’s leadership has appeared fragmented and detached from the ground realities that Manipur’s communities face.
The recent Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups typifies the Centre’s contentious approach. While the clause of political dialogue and a possible pathway toward Union Territory status for Kuki areas signals a partial fulfillment of the militants’ demands—including the removal of Chief Minister Biren Singh and the imposition of President’s Rule—there remains acute neglect of the Meitei majority’s equally urgent demands. For instance, the restoration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of all communities, particularly Meiteis forcibly displaced from key areas including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur, remains stalled. This glaring absence of a comprehensive, equitable solution undermines trust in the government and risks deepening identity-based fissures.
Such a selective engagement risks alienating the Meitei population, who seek preservation of Manipur’s territorial integrity and harmony among its diverse communities. The continuing ban on highway movement for Meitei people, for example, symbolizes the persistent fractures that the government’s policies have failed to bridge. Modi’s visit, therefore, arrives laden with vigorous expectations but also potent risks; without addressing the Meitei community’s core concerns, the visit could inflame existing tensions rather than soothe them.
History also provides cautionary lessons. The contemporary crises in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal have shown how prolonged government indifference and perceived injustices can ignite waves of popular unrest and violence. Manipur, if not carefully managed, could follow a similar trajectory. The simmering frustrations could give rise to new movements vehemently opposing the Centre’s perceived partiality, potentially escalating conflict beyond control.
Furthermore, the lack of clear dialogue with all stakeholders, especially grassroot leadership and civil society from Meitei and other marginalized groups, signals an incomplete governmental strategy. Symbolic political visits and announcements without parallel grassroots consensus-building risk becoming empty gestures, fostering cynicism and disillusionment among the populace.
As Prime Minister Modi prepares for his first visit since the outbreak of violence in 2023, there is an urgent need for the Centre to reassess its approach. A genuine political solution requires inclusive dialogue, prompt restoration and security for IDPs from all communities, rehabilitation measures, and assurances that no group’s identity or territory will be undermined. Perhaps most importantly, the Centre must visibly commit to upholding the constitutional rights and dignity of all Manipur’s people without sidelining any community’s legitimate aspirations.
Failure to do so could render the Prime Minister’s visit a missed opportunity—sparking not reconciliation but renewed conflict. The stakes are high not just for Manipur but for India’s broader goals of unity in diversity and federal harmony. The people of Manipur await more than symbolic gestures; they demand respect, justice, and a future free from fear and division.