Few Key Areas Myanmar is Important for India

Regional Dimensions

Terrorism

For India, terrorism has been a major security challenge since the mid-1980s. According to Indian intelligence agencies, separatists and insurgents operating in India’s north-east have used Myanmar as a base for their hit-and-run operations against India. India shares a 1,600-km border with Myanmar, and Indian and Myanmar’s militaries have jointly undertaken operations to flush out militants.

Act East

  • India also sees Myanmar as a key partner because of its membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • India, Myanmar and Thailand are building the Asian Trilateral Highway, which will connect India to Asean—which groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sub-regional Dimension

  1. ASEAN: Myanmar became a member of ASEAN in July 1997. As the only ASEAN country which shares a land border with India, Myanmar is a bridge between India and ASEAN. A few proposals for cooperation have been implemented and some are under discussions with Myanmar within the framework of ASEAN’s IAI programme.
  2. BIMSTEC: Myanmar became a member of BIMSTEC in December 1997. Myanmar is a signatory to the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement. Myanmar is the lead country for the energy sector. Myanmar trades mostly with Thailand and India in the BIMSTEC region.
  3. Mekong Ganga Cooperation: Myanmar is a member of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) since its inception in November 2000. MGC is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries namely, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – for cooperation in the fields of tourism, education, culture, transport and communication.
  4. SAARC and Myanmar: Myanmar has been a responsible member of ASEAN since 1997. In May 2008 Myanmar had formally requested to be included in SAARC which did not materialize. Though, subsequently it was given a status of observer along with eight other nations which include China, US and EU.

India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Highway

  • Conceived at an IMT Trilateral Ministerial meeting in Yangon in 2002, the crux of this trilateral relationship centers around the construction of a 1,360 km highway from Moreh-Tamu on the India-Myanmar border to Mae Sot on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

  • The first stretch of 160 km is called India-Myanmar Friendship Highway (also known as Moreh-Tamu Road) on Myanmar territory, connecting Kalewa, Kalemyo and Tamu with Moreh, was imperative for sub-regional integration between two countries.
  • India is undertaking construction of two sections of the trilateral highway in Myanmar, that entails building 120.74 km Kalewa-Yagyi road section and constructing 69 bridges along with the approach road on the 149.70 km Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section.
  • The Trilateral Highway is most likely to be operational by December, 2019.

Cultural Exchanges

  • India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship, given India's Buddhist heritage. Building on this shared heritage, India is undertaking some key initiatives in the restoration of the Ananda Temple in Bagan and the repair and conservation of a large number of damaged pagodas.
  • The ‘Samvad-II’ Interfaith dialogue was held on August 6-7, 2017, Yangon. The event was graced by Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and MOS Home Minister. Performances by cultural troupes are organized on a regular basis and are particularly popular in Mandalay and Mawlmyine, apart from Yangon. Myanmar troupes and artistes have participated in South Asian and ASEAN cultural events in India.
  • Work on restoring and renovating two historic temples in Bodh Gaya built by Myanmar rulers King Mindon and King Baygyidaw have also been completed.

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