Shillong Road to Join Myanmar Project

(Source: Page 1, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations, GS3 – Infrastructure and Connectivity

Context

India is developing a new connectivity link from Shillong to Kolkata via sea, bypassing Bangladesh, to connect with a Myanmar project. This strategic move enhances India’s regional connectivity and strengthens ties with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.

Background:

• India’s Act East Policy, an upgrade of the Look East Policy, aims to deepen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. The Shillong-Kolkata-Myanmar connectivity project is part of initiatives like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, designed to boost trade, tourism, and geopolitical influence. Bypassing Bangladesh reflects India’s strategic recalibration amid regional tensions.

Key Developments:

• New Route: The sea-based link from Shillong to Kolkata, avoiding Bangladesh, integrates with a Myanmar project, likely the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project or the Trilateral Highway.
• Strategic Shift: Bypassing Bangladesh suggests diplomatic or logistical challenges, possibly due to political instability or differing priorities in Dhaka.
• Regional Impact: Enhances India’s access to ASEAN markets and counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the region.

Act East Policy:

• Focuses on connectivity, commerce, and culture with ASEAN.
• Key projects: Kaladan Project, Trilateral Highway.

Strategic Implications:

• • Counters China’s BRI and String of Pearls strategy.
  • Enhances India’s role in BIMSTEC and ASEAN frameworks.

UPSC Relevance:

• • GS2: India’s foreign policy and regional cooperation.
  • GS3: Infrastructure development and economic integration.

Analysis:

• Geopolitical Significance: The project strengthens India’s position in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with Quad objectives and countering China’s influence in Myanmar.
• Economic Benefits: Improved connectivity will boost trade (India-ASEAN trade ~$80 billion in 2023) and develop the Northeast as an economic hub.
• Challenges: Infrastructure delays, Myanmar’s political instability post-2021 coup, and funding constraints pose risks.
• Environmental Concerns: Sea and road projects must balance ecological impacts, especially in ecologically sensitive Northeast India.

Conclusion/Way Forward

• India should expedite project implementation with robust funding and diplomatic engagement with Myanmar and Thailand. Environmental safeguards and local stakeholder involvement in the Northeast are critical. Strengthening BIMSTEC and ASEAN ties will maximize strategic gains.

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Practice Question: “India’s new connectivity projects, such as the Shillong-Myanmar link, reflect its strategic ambitions under the Act East Policy.” Discuss the significance of this initiative and the challenges in enhancing India’s connectivity with Southeast Asia. (250 words, 15 marks)