India-Myanmar Connectivity: Current Status and Future Prospects / KW Publishers (ePub)

The changing situation in Myanmar creates new opportunities for deepening India-Myanmar relations. Owing to its strategic position, Myanmar is connecting Asia's three big markets - ASEAN, China and India. Myanmar forms a land-bridge connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia. But, country's underdeveloped infrastructure, institutional and business environment seriously limit participation of Myanmar into the global economy. However, Myanmar has the potential to become another dynamic growth centre of Asia if it develops a stronger and improved connectivity with the neighbouring countries. Opening-up and strengthening the connectivity with neighbouring countries such as India would also speed-up its development process. We should see connectivity through Myanmar as crucial for India's Look East Policy and deepening economic integration with ASEAN, China and beyond. This article deals with physical connectivity links between India and Myanmar. Specifically, it presents current status of all major modes of transportation links between India and Myanmar, and discusses the challenges and prospects. Besides, it also presents Myanmar's selected connectivity projects with neighbouring China and Thailand. Finally, this study draws an action plan for implementation of connectivity projects in Myanmar.