Q.12 “At the centre of India’s development agenda in Myanmar lies connectivity.” Do you agree with the statement? Elucidate with suitable reasons in support of your answer.
20,Dec 2024
Posted By : SPM IAS Academy
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Yes, connectivity lies at the core of India’s development agenda in Myanmar, as India seeks to strengthen bilateral ties and foster regional stability and economic growth. Myanmar is crucial to India’s Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First Policy due to its strategic location as a land bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. By enhancing connectivity with Myanmar, India aims to bolster trade, secure energy routes, and counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
Reasons Connectivity is Central to India’s Development Agenda in Myanmar
1. Strategic Importance of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project:
The Kaladan Project is a flagship initiative aimed at connecting India’s northeastern states to the Bay of Bengal via Myanmar. The project involves a waterway from Sittwe port in Myanmar to Paletwa in Myanmar’s Chin state, and an inland road from Paletwa to Mizoram in India.
Once operational, it will significantly reduce travel time and cost, enhancing trade and connectivity with Myanmar and facilitating greater access to Southeast Asian markets for India’s northeast.
The project exemplifies India’s commitment to creating a robust connectivity network, highlighting the strategic and economic potential of linking the northeast with Myanmar’s coastal areas.
2. India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway:
The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a major infrastructure project aimed at establishing a seamless road link between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Extending from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar, the highway is part of India’s vision to enhance road connectivity and promote regional integration.
Once completed, this highway will provide greater economic opportunities and tourism linkages while positioning India as a gateway to ASEAN markets. Efforts are underway to further extend this network to other Southeast Asian nations, underscoring India’s long-term commitment to connectivity through Myanmar.
3. Energy Cooperation and Pipeline Connectivity:
Myanmar is rich in natural gas, and India’s engagement in energy projects, such as the Shwe Gas Project, reflects its strategy to diversify energy sources and secure resources from its neighborhood. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) holds stakes in Myanmar’s energy sector, ensuring energy connectivity through shared infrastructure.
Such projects help India reduce energy dependency while supporting Myanmar’s economic development, demonstrating how energy connectivity strengthens bilateral ties and reinforces India’s broader regional connectivity strategy.
4. ASEAN and BIMSTEC Connectivity Initiatives:
Myanmar is an important member of both ASEAN and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), and its role is critical in facilitating India’s engagement with Southeast Asia.
Through BIMSTEC, India is working on enhancing maritime connectivity and strengthening economic linkages across the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar’s strategic position in BIMSTEC amplifies India’s intent to deepen ties and improve infrastructure that fosters trans-regional connectivity.
5. Capacity-Building Initiatives and Digital Connectivity:
India has undertaken numerous capacity-building initiatives in Myanmar, including digital connectivity projects and IT centers. The Myanmar Institute of Information Technology (MIIT), established with Indian support, is a major step towards promoting digital connectivity and skill development in Myanmar.
India’s Pan-African e-Network (recently extended to South Asia and Myanmar) enhances telemedicine and education links, indicating a soft-power approach to connectivity. Such initiatives align with India’s aim to promote sustainable development and digital literacy in its neighborhood.
Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities in India-Myanmar Connectivity
Counterbalancing Chinese Influence: China’s presence in Myanmar, particularly through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (part of the Belt and Road Initiative), poses a strategic challenge for India. India’s connectivity projects offer Myanmar alternative development options and foster multilateral partnerships, promoting balanced economic engagement in the region.
Security Concerns in Border Regions: Insurgencies and ethnic conflicts along the India-Myanmar border present challenges to connectivity projects. Nevertheless, India’s border management initiatives and collaborations with Myanmar’s government are ongoing efforts to mitigate these issues, underscoring the need for secure and stable connectivity routes.
Enhancing Trade and Economic Integration: According to the Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between India and Myanmar reached around $2 billion in 2022–23. Connectivity projects like the Kaladan Project and the Trilateral Highway aim to further boost trade by reducing logistical barriers, thus advancing India’s economic integration with ASEAN markets.
Conclusion
At the heart of India’s development agenda in Myanmar lies a multifaceted connectivity strategy—encompassing physical infrastructure, digital and energy linkages, and people-to-people connections. By focusing on connectivity, India is not only advancing its Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First Policy but also creating pathways for economic growth, security collaboration, and cultural exchange. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi aptly stated, “Our destiny is linked with our neighbors,” a sentiment that underscores India’s ongoing commitment to fostering mutually beneficial connectivity with Myanmar, despite challenges and regional complexities.
