ASEAN Calling: Development of Indias North-East through Sub-regional Cooperation

This book deals with the prospect and potential of development of India’s North-Eastern Region (NER) through sub-regional cooperation with the neighbouring members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Although landlockedness has long stunted the economic growth of NER, with ASEAN-India as well as India-Bangladesh connectivity projects gathering pace, the silver lining is appearing on the horizon. The completion of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway connecting Moreh (Manipur) with Mae Sot (Thailand) across Myanmar will land-link the region with the ASEAN countries. Further extension of the Highway till Vietnam and Cambodia, as is being envisaged, will take the north-eastern region even closer to the ASEAN. Likewise, India is extending railways to Manipur which will eventually be connected with the rail network of Myanmar as a part of the Asian Development Bank’s Trans-Asian Railway project. Besides, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transportation Project (KMTTP) will open up maritime route for the north-eastern region by connecting India's eastern ports with the Sittwe port in Myanmar. Again, Sittwe port will be connected with the riverine port of Paletwa on Kaladan river from where Lawngtlai in Mizoram will be connected by road.