Months before her removal from power in August 2024, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a serious warning that did not receive immediate global attention. She spoke of an alleged attempt by the United States to carve out a Christian-majority nation spanning parts of India’s Northeast, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. At that time, her remarks were seen by many as political rhetoric. However, a chain of events since then has brought renewed scrutiny to her claims, suggesting that they may not have been without basis.

The recent arrest of six Ukrainian nationals along with one American citizen by India’s National Investigation Agency has added a new layer to this unfolding story. According to investigators, these individuals were allegedly involved in supplying arms and providing training to militants associated with the Chin National Army in Myanmar. Their detention has drawn attention to a broader pattern of foreign involvement in the sensitive India-Myanmar-Bangladesh border region.

The arrested individuals have been charged under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for criminal conspiracy related to unlawful and terrorist activities. Among them, the American national has been identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, the founder of Sons of Liberty International, a non-profit security contracting organisation. The six Ukrainians arrested alongside him have been identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor.

Investigators informed the court that while all seven individuals entered India legally on valid visas, they later moved into Mizoram’s protected areas without the required Restricted Area Permit. From there, they reportedly crossed into Myanmar and established contact with ethnic armed groups that are considered hostile to India. Authorities further stated that these foreign nationals were actively training such groups, which maintain links with insurgent outfits operating within India.

The agency also noted that these groups were “supporting some proscribed Indian Insurgent Groups by way of supplying weapons and other terrorist hardware and training them”. In addition, investigators claim that a large consignment of drones was brought into India from Europe and eventually used to aid these activities. This discovery has intensified concerns about organised and well-supported networks operating across borders.

The arrests have revived long-standing suspicions that the United States and other foreign actors may be offering both direct and indirect support to anti-junta forces in Myanmar. This support, some believe, extends beyond diplomacy into logistical and strategic assistance.

The Preachers of Conflict: Missionaries or Mercenaries?

The involvement of foreign nationals in the region is not entirely new. Over the years, there have been several instances where individuals, particularly those linked to missionary activities, have accessed Myanmar through India’s northeastern states.

One such case is that of Daniel Stephan Courney. He first entered India in 2009 on a tourist visa and remained in the country for over a decade. During his stay, he reportedly participated in and supervised religious conversions across regions that were once part of Andhra Pradesh. In 2017, he was deported and blacklisted. However, in 2023, he re-entered India on another tourist visa and became active in Manipur, where he engaged in religious outreach activities under the guise of social service.

Reports indicate that Courney distributed religious material and delivered speeches that were critical of Hindu communities and the Indian government. On 5th August 2023, he broadcast a live video from Manipur claiming that Christians were being targeted. He described the government as a “radical Hindu government” and alleged that violence against Christians was being encouraged. He also referred to Northeast India as a sacred Christian region.

Notably, Courney is a former US Army veteran and has been accused of coordinating supplies of weapons, communication equipment, drones, and other logistical support to militant groups in Manipur and nearby states. In December 2024, an earlier video resurfaced showing him distributing bulletproof jackets and drones to Kuki militants, reportedly for surveillance purposes in conflict zones.

Another case involved a British national, Daniel Newey, who was arrested in June 2024 at Lengpui Airport with live ammunition. Though later acquitted, such incidents have continued to raise questions about the nature of foreign involvement in the region.

In November 2025, American evangelist Franklin Graham was denied a visa for a planned visit to Nagaland. His organisation, Samaritan’s Purse, has faced allegations of engaging in conversion-related activities through humanitarian aid.

Matthew Van Dyke and the Expanding Network

Attention has now turned to Matthew Van Dyke, whose background reveals a complex mix of military experience and ideological activism. Born in Baltimore in 1981, he had previously fought in Libya and was even held as a prisoner of war during the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

In 2014, he founded Sons of Liberty International following the execution of two American journalists by ISIS. The organisation operates as a registered non-profit and claims to provide free military training and assistance to vulnerable communities facing extremist threats. Its early work included training Christian militia groups in Iraq.

Van Dyke has also been closely associated with Ukraine since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. His organisation has been actively involved in training and advising Ukrainian forces. His own statements acknowledge participation in regime change efforts in Venezuela, adding another dimension to his global engagements.

His social media activity reflects strong ideological views, particularly related to Christianity and global politics. He has openly expressed support for ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar and often frames global conflicts through a religious lens.

He is not alone in such activities. Another figure, Dave Eubank, a former US Special Forces officer and Christian minister, runs the Free Burma Rangers. He has openly admitted to providing humanitarian aid, military training, and religious outreach in Myanmar.

Allegations from Within India

Concerns about foreign presence in the region have also been raised by Indian officials. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had earlier warned about the movement of foreign nationals, especially those with military experience, through the state’s porous borders.

He revealed that between June and December 2024, more than 2,000 foreigners visited Aizawl but were rarely seen publicly, leading to suspicions that they were crossing into Myanmar. He further stated, “We have specific intelligence that the Ukraine war veterans travelled to Myanmar’s Chin State via Mizoram to train rebel outfits fighting the military junta,” highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

His remarks added weight to earlier speculation that the Mizoram-Myanmar border was becoming a transit route for foreign fighters and operatives.

A Policy Decision and Its Long-Term Impact

The current situation is also being linked to policy decisions taken more than a decade ago. In 2011, the Congress-led UPA government relaxed Protected Area Permit requirements in several northeastern states to promote tourism. While the move was intended to boost local economies, it is now being seen as a loophole that allowed foreign individuals to enter sensitive regions and move across borders with relative ease.

Global Power Struggle Playing Out Locally

Myanmar’s strategic location has long made it a focal point in global geopolitics. Russia and China have consistently supported the Myanmar military junta, while the United States has backed pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups.

The Myanmar military has relied on Russian support for weapons and fuel, while also maintaining close ties with China. In return, it has supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine, backed by the United States, has its own interest in weakening Russia’s global alliances.

The United States has also introduced legislative measures such as the Burma Act, aimed at providing assistance to anti-junta groups. Though officially described as non-lethal support, the scope of assistance includes equipment and resources that can significantly enhance military capabilities.

Reports have also suggested plans to establish logistical bases in Bangladesh to support operations in Myanmar. These developments point to a complex and layered geopolitical contest.

Revisiting Sheikh Hasina’s Warning

In light of these developments, Sheikh Hasina’s earlier claim is being revisited with renewed seriousness. In June 2024, she had alleged a plan to create “a Christian state like East Timor,” spanning parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Leaders from her party later clarified that she was referring to a proposed entity called “Zogam,” envisioned as a homeland for Zo ethnic groups spread across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. This concept closely resembles the idea of “Zalengam,” a proposed Kuki state.

These regions share historical and cultural ties, with many communities having converted to Christianity during the colonial period. Today, several armed groups representing these communities are active in Myanmar and Bangladesh, while political movements in India have also raised demands for unification.

Tensions, Identity, and Security Concerns

The situation on the ground remains complex. Ethnic tensions, cross-border migration, and allegations of illegal documentation have added to local concerns. Reports of drug trafficking networks and links between militant groups and extremist organisations have further complicated the picture.

India has responded by strengthening border security. Plans to fence the India-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime have been announced to address concerns related to infiltration and demographic changes.

However, these measures have also faced opposition from certain local groups, who argue that such steps disrupt traditional ties and communities spread across borders.

Conclusion

The developments across Northeast India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh point to a deeply layered situation where local conflicts intersect with global geopolitical interests. The presence of foreign nationals, especially those with military and missionary backgrounds, has raised serious questions about external influence in the region.

At the heart of these concerns lies a broader fear of attempts to reshape the region’s identity and political landscape. While investigations continue, recent arrests signal that Indian authorities are closely monitoring these activities and remain committed to safeguarding national security and territorial integrity.