SYLLABUS SECTION: GS III (INFRASTRUCTURE)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• Recently, while addressing the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) conclave in Guwahati, External Affairs Minister said that better connectivity between northeast states and neighboring countries bolsters India’s ties.
• First, two conclaves were held in Shillong and Dhaka.

Significance of the Better Connectivity:

• Greater land and sea connectivity between the northeastern states and neighbouring countries can build on India’s partnerships with ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and Japan have a bearing on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
• Commercially it will open up the the way to Vietnam and the Philippines, from Haiphong to Hazira and from Manila to Mundra, will open up, creating an east-west lateral with sweeping consequences for the continent.
• The countries in the region can overcome geography and get chances of development if they get policies and economics right.

What needs to be Done?

• Improving connectivity between Bangladesh and the northeastern states,
• Revival of railway links snapped by the 1965 India-Pakistan war
• Building up of road infrastructure and agreements on the movement of goods through ports in the neighboring country

The steps India has taken to improve the connectivity:

• Within India:
• The restoration of six historical cross-border railway links snapped in 1965.
• The Chilahati-Haldibari line will enhance Assam’s connectivity with Bangladesh, and a link from Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in Tripura is being developed with an Indian grant.
• Within Bangladesh:
• India is collaborating on several road projects, including improving the Ashuganj river port-Akhaura land port road under an LoC of more than $400 million.
• Connecting Baruerhat to Ramgarh on the border, will increase Tripura’s connectivity with Bangladesh,

 

• Within Myanmar:

Infrastructure projects on the India-Myanmar border serve economic, people-to-people and security imperatives.

Efforts are on to make Sittwe Port operational at the earliest.

Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI)

• “NADI uses the symbols and narratives of our shared rivers, and shared waters to encourage shared ideas on collaboration.
• It emphasis on 5Cs: Connectivity, Culture, Commerce, Conservation and Collaboration in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin.
• It aims at closer cooperation with countries in India’s eastern borders and beyond and helps forge strategic initiatives for energy and water security in the region.
• This conclave gives us a remarkable opportunity to articulate a collective vision for our shared prosperity.
• The potential of the North East is immense, but at present, the total percentage of India’s trade to Southeast Asia through the northeast is less than 2% of the total trade with ASEAN.

Read more: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Source: Hindustan Times