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Connectivity Projects: India and Southeast Asia (UPSC Current Affairs)

Relevance: GS2: 

Bilateral Groupings & Agreements, Important International Institutions, Regional Groupings, Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests.

Why in the news?

• The Indian government has emphasised the need for cross-border connectivity between India and Southeast Asian nations during a virtual ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit on the Future of India-ASEAN Connectivity Partnerships.
  (i) ASEAN is an organisation made up of 10 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  

What will be the impact of India's and Southeast Asia's connectivity?

• India is now collaborating with ASEAN on a number of land, sea, and air connectivity initiatives.
• Connectivity will progressively reshape the geopolitical landscape of the area by giving substance to ASEAN-India relations.
• India has been actively expanding infrastructure in Northeastern India in this context.
  (i) This includes the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor.
• These connection projects would not only help India's northeastern states reduce insurgencies, but also help them realise their economic potential and integrate with the rest of the country.
• In addition, the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a key component of India's developing involvement with its eastern neighbours.
  (i) Small and medium-sized businesses in border areas will be able to explore new business opportunities thanks to it.

What are the various examples of Cross-Connectivity Projects?

Trilateral Highway between India, Myanmar, and Thailand:

• One of the most important initiatives for ASEAN-India land connectivity.
• It was first planned in 2002 to connect the three countries from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand to Bagan in Myanmar.
• Aside from that, the IMT MVA (India, Myanmar, and Thailand Motor Vehicles Agreement) is nearing completion.
  (i) This will be the first-ever cross-border facilitation agreement between South and Southeast Asia if it is realised.

KMMTTP (Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transportation Project):

• ASEAN and India are working on the KMMTTP to improve water connectivity.
• The initiative was started by the Indian government in 2008, and it is totally supported by the Indian government.
• To find an alternative route for transporting goods to India's northeast area through Myanmar.
• By sea and river, it connects Kolkata, India, to Sittwe and Paletwa, Myanmar.
• In addition to this endeavour, India has contributed to the construction of a sea link via Myanmar's Sittwe port, allowing for an alternative transit route through Bangladesh.

MIEC (Mekong-India Economic Corridor):

• Connects Ho Chi Minh City, Dawei, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh with Chennai, and involves the integration of four Mekong countries — Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia – as well as India.
• The corridor will allow participating countries to develop infrastructure, expand their economic base in the region, and, most importantly, shorten the transit distance between India and ASEAN countries.

Way forward

• Extension of the Trilateral Highway: Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam might all benefit from the extension of the Trilateral Highway. Greater connection and economic integration between India's northeast and its eastern neighbours will be possible as a result of this.
• Beyond the movement of commodities and physical connectivity, it is also critical for two regions to investigate strategies to improve digital connectivity.
  (i) This is in line with the Indian government's efforts to transform the country into a global data hub.
• Improving Maritime Connectivity: With the launch of the "Sagarmala" project, India intends to invest in port infrastructure in order to increase maritime integration and connectivity. This is a positive move in the right direction for India-ASEAN connectivity initiatives.