I NDI A MY ANMAR R E LA TI ONS
Why in news?
Recently India and Myanmar opened two land border crossings through a Land Border Crossing Agreement.
More about the news
• The two crossing points are at Moreh in Manipur, opposite Tamu in Myanmar’s Sagaing division, and Zokhawthar in Mizoram, opposite Rihkhawdar in Myanmar’s Chin state.
• It marked the abolishing of special land entry permission which was previously required for visitors entering the country via land routes.
Significance & Concerns
Myanmar is an important part of India's Act East Policy and the step is crucial for the policy in following ways-
• Improved Connectivity- Myanmar is crucial for New Delhi’s connectivity initiatives in the region, particularly in light of its non- participation in the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative. The efforts are complimented by
Other connectivity projects through Myanmar
• IMT Trilateral Highway: a regional highway being constructed under India’s Act East policy. It will connect Moreh in India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.
• The second land border crossing at Zokhawthar- Rhikhawdar will be connected to the Trilateral Highway at Kalemyo, near Kalewa in Myanmar.
• Motor Vehicle Agreement: India, Myanmar and Thailand has been negotiating for finalising and implementing a Motor Vehicle Agreement .This agreement is necessary to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway and other infrastructural linkages.
• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a project that will connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa, Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
various other ongoing connectivity projects in the region.
12 ©Vision IAS
o It has eased the connectivity between the people having brethren across the long border shared between the two countries.
• Support India's involvement in Myanmar over China’s increasing influence- Projects like Kaladan are already facing delays which can be cured to some extent by the agreement.
• Push to Tourism- It will help in the growth of tourism in Northeast India and Myanmar.
o This will help in the growth of medical tourism in the Northeastern states of the country, which offer high
quality medical services at reasonable rates, which may interest people in the border regions of Myanmar.
• Sign of improvement in relations- The opening of these land routes also reflects the rapid growth in India- ASEAN ties, which was exemplified by the presence of the heads of state of all the ASEAN states at India’s Republic Day celebrations earlier in January this year for the ASEAN-India commemorative summit.
Apart from the specified significance, there are some concerns that should also be kept in mind. For example, the agreement as a sanguine for better connectivity is incomplete till the time other big connectivity projects (box) are not completed. Also, with better connectivity comes the need for improving checks against illegal immigrants and insurgents.
Way forward
• Relations have indeed moved a long way since 1992 when New Delhi became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. Steps like these will aid India’s outreach to the ASEAN countries. Myanmar is India’s land bridge to ASEAN and hence closer connectivity with Myanmar is sine qua non for the success of India’s “Act-East Policy”.
• India shares many common concerns with Myanmar that range from socio-economic development, shared concerns over insurgency and regional peace and preserving sovereignty in light of growing Chinese assertiveness.
• India needs to seize this opportunity and expedite the work on ongoing projects while at the same time exercising soft power through constructive aid and cultural exchange.
Why in news?
Recently India and Myanmar opened two land border crossings through a Land Border Crossing Agreement.
More about the news
• The two crossing points are at Moreh in Manipur, opposite Tamu in Myanmar’s Sagaing division, and Zokhawthar in Mizoram, opposite Rihkhawdar in Myanmar’s Chin state.
• It marked the abolishing of special land entry permission which was previously required for visitors entering the country via land routes.
Significance & Concerns
Myanmar is an important part of India's Act East Policy and the step is crucial for the policy in following ways-
• Improved Connectivity- Myanmar is crucial for New Delhi’s connectivity initiatives in the region, particularly in light of its non- participation in the Beijing-led Belt and Road Initiative. The efforts are complimented by
Other connectivity projects through Myanmar
• IMT Trilateral Highway: a regional highway being constructed under India’s Act East policy. It will connect Moreh in India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.
• The second land border crossing at Zokhawthar- Rhikhawdar will be connected to the Trilateral Highway at Kalemyo, near Kalewa in Myanmar.
• Motor Vehicle Agreement: India, Myanmar and Thailand has been negotiating for finalising and implementing a Motor Vehicle Agreement .This agreement is necessary to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway and other infrastructural linkages.
• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a project that will connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa, Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
various other ongoing connectivity projects in the region.
12 ©Vision IAS
o It has eased the connectivity between the people having brethren across the long border shared between the two countries.
• Support India's involvement in Myanmar over China’s increasing influence- Projects like Kaladan are already facing delays which can be cured to some extent by the agreement.
• Push to Tourism- It will help in the growth of tourism in Northeast India and Myanmar.
o This will help in the growth of medical tourism in the Northeastern states of the country, which offer high
quality medical services at reasonable rates, which may interest people in the border regions of Myanmar.
• Sign of improvement in relations- The opening of these land routes also reflects the rapid growth in India- ASEAN ties, which was exemplified by the presence of the heads of state of all the ASEAN states at India’s Republic Day celebrations earlier in January this year for the ASEAN-India commemorative summit.
Apart from the specified significance, there are some concerns that should also be kept in mind. For example, the agreement as a sanguine for better connectivity is incomplete till the time other big connectivity projects (box) are not completed. Also, with better connectivity comes the need for improving checks against illegal immigrants and insurgents.
Way forward
• Relations have indeed moved a long way since 1992 when New Delhi became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. Steps like these will aid India’s outreach to the ASEAN countries. Myanmar is India’s land bridge to ASEAN and hence closer connectivity with Myanmar is sine qua non for the success of India’s “Act-East Policy”.
• India shares many common concerns with Myanmar that range from socio-economic development, shared concerns over insurgency and regional peace and preserving sovereignty in light of growing Chinese assertiveness.
• India needs to seize this opportunity and expedite the work on ongoing projects while at the same time exercising soft power through constructive aid and cultural exchange.
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