Strengthening relations with Myanmar

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

: Myanmar railway network. In 2003, during the visit of India’s vice president to Myanmar, the offer of a $57 million Line of Credit (LC) was announced for upgradation of Myanmar’s railway network from Yangon to Mandalay.

There is some progress on Kaladan multimodal transportation project. Coming month will see the BTU (Build, Transfer and Use) agreement signed for $120 million Kaladan project. When completed, it will give an ocean access to India’s Northeast (starting with Mizoram) at Sittwee port in Myanmar.

Sittwee is 250 km from the Indian border on the north-western coast of Burma, where the Kaladan river joins the Bay of Bengal.

Overland connectivity is another important aspect of bilateral relation. India is implementing BIMSTEC Highway, which will provide an uninterrupted transportation linkage between South and Southeast Asia through India’s Northeast and Myanmar.

The successful upgradation of the 160-km Tamu-Kalay-Kalewa road (northern part of this highway) by India is a good beginning.

Myanmar has an abundance of offshore natural gas resources. Current engagement between the two countries in the energy sector is limited, but opportunities are plenty. The Essar Group is about to start drilling test well to explore natural gas at an inland block in Myanmar’s western coastal Rakhine state later this year.

OVL and GAIL are already involved in similar activities at Blocks A-1 and A-3 in the same offshore area in partnership with South Korean companies. India and Myanmar are working together for the development of a hydroelectric project at Tamanthi. This project has the potential of generating between 600 mw and 1,000 MW of electricity.

As India considers its future role in Asia, the rise of Myanmar would then represent a positive opportunity to advance this country’s Asian and global interests. It would be in India’s strong interest to see Myanmar develops a lasting growth. Offering membership in SAARC to Myanmar will certainly build mutual trust and confidence. Building a deeper cooperation with Myanmar should be one of the India’s highest priorities.