New Delhi: Following the arrest of seven foreign nationals—including six Ukrainians and one American—on charges of alleged involvement in training ethnic armed groups (EAGs) in Myanmar, experts from India’s security and defense establishments have stated that foreign vested interests constantly attempt to foment unrest in the Northeast.
Renowned security expert and former Director General of Nagaland Police, Taliakum John Longkumer, told ETV Bharat, “The Northeast has always been a target for vested interests. The arrest of these seven foreign nationals has once again underscored the sensitivity of this region.”
On Monday, the NIA arrested the six Ukrainians and one American from various locations—including the Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata airports—as they were attempting to flee India. Subsequently, a special NIA court situated at the Patiala House Court remanded all seven foreign nationals to 11 days of NIA custody. It is alleged that they entered India on visas and subsequently proceeded to Mizoram. From there, they crossed into Myanmar and established contact with ethnic armed groups.
Longkumer remarked, “Their arrest is a major breakthrough. If the NIA’s claim regarding their involvement in training ethnic insurgent groups proves to be true, it will hold immense significance for India.”
According to Longkumer, “The Northeast has historically been a focal point for foreign interference. These external forces constantly seek to destabilize the region. The Northeast faces a serious security challenge; often, we remain unaware of incidents occurring within the region until after the fact. Further details are likely to emerge following their interrogation.”
In its submission to the court, the NIA stated that in order to uncover all facts pertaining to the conspiracy—and to identify all individuals involved in executing it—the agency arrested the accused from various locations to facilitate further investigation into their specific roles, as well as any information they may possess regarding the current case and other co-accused individuals. The NIA informed the court, “All constitutional and statutory requirements were adhered to during the arrest of the accused; they were provided with written notification regarding the grounds for their arrest in both English and their local language, and an acknowledgment of receipt was obtained.” The NIA is investigating the entire conspiracy, including illegal entry, training camps, financing, and links to Indian insurgent groups.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, renowned security expert and former Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, S.P. Vaid, stated that security agencies must conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether any organization or individual had sent them here.
Vaid remarked, “It is imperative to ascertain whether they arrived on their own initiative or if they were dispatched by an agency. We need to determine whether any specific organization or country sent them.” According to Vaid, the Northeast has historically been a sensitive region, and the activities of foreigners there warrant strict surveillance. He added, “Any foreigner visiting for tourism or other purposes is required to report to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) and furnish all relevant details.”
Citing statements made by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Vaid observed, “If one considers the statement made by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—in which she alleged that the United States, in collusion with its ‘Deep State,’ intends to establish a Christian corridor spanning parts of Bangladesh and the Northeast—then the significance of the recent arrests of these foreign nationals, including the American citizen, is further amplified.”
The arrested American citizen, Matthew VanDyke, is a documentary filmmaker and the founder of “Sons of Liberty International” (SOLI). This firm claims to provide advisory services and training to “vulnerable” populations in their fight against terrorists. VanDyke has appeared in at least two films: one depicting his combat role alongside Libyan rebels against Gaddafi, and the other showcasing the operations of his security firm.
VanDyke has also fought in Syria and has been serving with the Ukrainian military against Russia since 2022. The six arrested Ukrainian nationals include Hurba Petro, Sliviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovsky, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maxim, and Kaminsky Viktor. The NIA informed the court that this group was importing a large consignment of drones from Europe via India for use by ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. These groups are linked to insurgent groups within India. The NIA stated to the court, “These EAGs are supporting banned Indian insurgent groups by supplying them with weapons and other terrorist equipment, as well as providing them with training—actions that are adversely affecting India’s national security and interests.”
When another security expert, retired Brigadier B.K. Khanna, was contacted, he remarked that a thorough investigation by the agency could bring everything to light. Brigadier Khanna said, “Let the NIA investigate the matter. The interrogation of the arrested individuals could yield answers to all other questions, including the strategies behind their involvement with Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups and their alleged visits to Manipur and Mizoram.”
It is noteworthy that in December 2024, acting on intelligence inputs, the Ministry of Home Affairs alerted the administrations of Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland to maintain a strict vigil on foreigners entering these states, which share borders with Myanmar.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) was also directed to monitor their activities and initiate appropriate legal action. Significantly, the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system is applicable to both Mizoram and Manipur; the ILP serves as a mandatory travel document for visiting these two states. Meanwhile, an NIA spokesperson stated that since the matter is currently in the preliminary stages of investigation, the agency would share details at an appropriate time. “We cannot provide you with details at this moment,” the spokesperson said. “Information will be shared at the appropriate time.”
