India–Arakan trade to be temporarily suspended during Christmas holiday

By Admin 20 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

20 December 2025, Kyauktaw

Arakanese merchants in India say India–Arakan trade will be temporarily suspended for several days during the upcoming Christmas holiday.

In India’s Mizoram State, township youth groups have issued notices ordering the closure of market areas from December 20 to January 11 during the Christmas season.

“Christmas is a sacred festival for Christians, so trade may stop for a while during this period. In Lawngtlai, the market was last allowed to open on December 20. The Central Young Lai Association (CYLA) has also issued a statement saying there should be no loading, unloading or bulk trading of goods,” said an Arakanese trader in Lawngtlai.

He added, “We are not selling at all. Drivers are also not operating because it is their religious festival. We expect trade to be suspended until the end of December or early January.”

Traders said Arakanese merchants in India are returning to Arakan State after purchasing goods needed there ahead of Christmas.

A shopkeeper in Kyauktaw Township said that while commodity prices in Arakan State are unlikely to change significantly, the annual Christmas-related trade closure could have a slight impact.

“Last year, on Christmas Day, trade routes were closed for more than a week. Prices are not expected to change significantly. In any case, there is time to prepare. Both traders and customers are stocking up on essential goods. But it is not completely unaffected. If trade is halted for more than ten days, there will be some impact,” he said.

Since 2023, the military regime has blocked roads in Arakan State, forcing the region to import food, medicine and fuel mainly from Mizoram.

India–Arakan trade resumed in mid-2024, with the Paletwa route via Lawngtlai, Siaha and Aizawl in Mizoram State serving as a key trade corridor for Arakan State.