Zokhawthar is a village in the Champhai district of the Indian state of Mizoram. Situated on the international border between India and Myanmar, the village lies on the Indian side of the Tiau River, which forms the boundary between the two countries. It is among the principal land entry points along the Mizoram–Myanmar frontier and faces the Myanmar town of Rikhawdar (Rihkhawdar) in Chin State.
| Type | Village |
|---|---|
| State | Mizoram |
| District | Champhai |
| Country | India |
| Border | India–Myanmar (Tiau River) |
| Across the border | Rikhawdar, Chin State, Myanmar |
Zokhawthar is located in the eastern part of Champhai district, in the hill country that characterises much of Mizoram. The Tiau River runs along the village's eastern edge and demarcates the international boundary. The terrain is hilly and forested, with the Indian town of Champhai lying to the west; Zokhawthar is connected to Champhai by road, making it the closest border crossing accessible from that town.
The Zokhawthar–Rikhawdar crossing is one of the designated land routes between India and Myanmar. A bridge over the Tiau River links the two settlements, and the crossing has historically been used for local trade, family visits, and the movement of people between the Mizo community in India and related Chin communities in Myanmar. The route also forms part of broader plans to improve connectivity between Northeast India and Southeast Asia under India's Act East Policy.
The population of Zokhawthar is predominantly Mizo, sharing strong ethnic, linguistic, and cultural ties with the Chin people across the border in Myanmar. Christianity is the dominant religion, in keeping with the wider pattern in Mizoram. Mizo (Duhlian) is the principal language spoken locally.
Zokhawthar's importance derives largely from its position as a border village. It serves as:
The village has also drawn attention in connection with the movement of refugees from Myanmar into Mizoram during periods of political unrest in Chin State.