Better India-ASEAN Connectivity Spurs Economic Growth, Says Minister

By M. Santhiran NEW DELHI, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Enhancing connectivity is a strategic priority of India in boosting further economic growth and people-to-people exchanges with ASEAN member countries, said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. She said through India's 'Act East Policy', several initiatives are underway for improving rail, road, waterway and air connectivity within the region, citing the good progress of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport project, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Rih Tedim project in Myanmar. "I'm happy to share that the original waterways component of the Kaladan project has achieved a physical progress of close to 90 per cent and is scheduled to be completed in the next few months. "The revised cost of the project was approved in October last year. The implementation of the road component and additional waterways items has been initiated. These are targeted to be completed by 2019," said Sushma in her keynote address at the ministerial session of 8th Delhi Dialogue here. She disclosed that the tendering process for construction of 69 bridges and approach roads for the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway has been initiated. "The project approval for this component was obtained in December last year. The implementation will start soon with the Friendship Bridge connecting Moreh and Tamu on the India-Myanmar border. The process for the Kalewa-Yargi road has also been speeded up," added Sushma. Meanwhile, the Rih-Tedim Road project will provide all-weather connectivity between eastern Mizoram in north-eastern India and western Myanmar. She added a detailed project report will be completed by the second half of this year, with actual implementation to start soon thereafter. Besides the projects, India is looking forward to receiving proposals from ASEAN member countries on utilising the US$1 billion line of credit announced by prime minister Narendra Modi, she said. In November 2015, Modi announced at the 13th ASEAN India Summit in Kuala Lumpur the line of credit to promote projects that support physical and digital connectivity between India and ASEAN. During the speech, Sushma also announced the inauguration of the ASEAN Studies Centre at the North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong in the state of Meghalaya. She said the centre will include representatives from universities in all north-eastern states and work to enhance mutual understanding and develop cross-border academic exchanges between India and ASEAN countries. -- BERNAMA