TODAY -

Crossing the Mekong River to open the Eastern Gate to Lao PDR

Puyam Rakesh Singh *

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate at Moreh, a border town between India and Myanmar :: 23 August 2012
Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate at Moreh, a border town between India and Myanmar in August 2012 :: Pix - CK Sharma



During Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit, insurgency was stated as the main issue troubling Manipur. The visit was claimed to be part of the vision of accelerating development in Northeast India and the implementation of the ‘Act East’ policy. The delegation also included the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju who stated that Moreh will be India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. The team inspected the construction works of the integrated check post, land custom office and immigration office in Moreh.

The demand for passport office in Imphal and immigration offices in Moreh and Namphalong are connected to opening the eastern gate to Myanmar for visiting the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. This is a long pending job with no certainty. But developments taking place in Myanmar, China and other Southeast Asian countries have something to tell. It is about opening the eastern gates to China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR; in short Laos) and Thailand through Myanmar for the people of Manipur and other parts of India.

First of all, the Imphal to Mandalay bus or flight service and then onwards to Kengtung (Kyaingtong) in Shan State will be necessary. The road from Kengtung to Tachileik is not very long and the Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces of Laos are a stone’s throw away from Tachileik. In January 2007, Wan Pong checkpoint in Tachileik and Muang Mom checkpoint in Bokeo were upgraded to facilitate tourists. Moreover, in May 2009, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing sister cities between Bagan (Myanmar) and Luang Prabang (Laos) was signed for cooperation in tourism.

On 16 February 2013, a ground breaking ceremony was held at Xieng Kok for the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River, the first and the only bridge to link Myanmar to Laos. The Mekong River demarcates the border line of about 235 kilometres between the two countries. The Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge linking Kyainglap (Kenglap) in Tachileik district and Xieng Kok in Luang Namtha will make this region an important centre of trade and regional connectivity.

In fact, Tachileik in the Triangle Region is an important border trade centre. The border town of Mae Sai lies on the Thai side of the Mae Sai River that flows between the two border towns. Unfortunately, the region is a hotbed of insurgency, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other trans-national security issues. This eastern tip of Shan State shares borders with China, Laos and Thailand.

The Myanmar-Laos border falls within the Triangle Command of Myanmar Army. It was set up in 1996 with headquarters in Kengtung. Here, tracts of border areas are still controlled by the United Wa State Army (USWA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), also known as the Eastern Shan State Army (ESSA). To face the challenges, Myanmar has strengthened security cooperation with Laos.

During Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh’s visit in June 2010, the two sides agreed on regular exchange of high-level visits, promotion of good neighbourly relations, peace and stability in border regions and improvement of road transport. Myanmar officials from the Ministry for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races, Ministries for Transport and others took part in the meetings.

Before the Myanmar election, Senior General Than Shwe paid a state visit to Laos in October 2010. He called for strengthening friendship and border security mechanism. The delegation also included Lieutenant General Min Aung Hlaing of the Defence Ministry, Commander of Triangle Region Brigadier-General Than Tun Oo and other officials. The MoU on provincial regional border committee signed during the visit was not just to control drug trafficking and flow of precursor chemicals. Controlling the borders for facilitating the national reconciliation and ceasefire with ethnic armed groups in Myanmar was the agenda.

It was followed by President Thein Sein’s visit in March 2012. The two countries agreed to re-open direct flights and to cooperate in border security. Also, the agreement for the friendship bridge was signed during the visit on 22 March 2012. Enhancing security cooperation and improving transport infrastructures for economic development and tourism are being actively pursued. Interestingly, China has strong stakes in the Mekong River basin security cooperation and wants to curb the problems created by the lawless Golden Triangle region.

Yunnan province of China is badly affected by the synthetic drugs manufacturing and poppy cultivation in the region. The stretch of the Mekong River from Yunnan to Thailand has become a haven of drug traffickers, smugglers and other cross-border crimes. The difficult terrains, thick jungles and lack of administrative controls in the region have been exploited by the criminals of all sorts. Insurgency in Myanmar also complicates the security situation.

On 5 October 2011, two Chinese cargo ships were attacked killing 13 Chinese sailors and injuring many others. This incident pushed China closer to the Mekong River affairs especially to strengthen security cooperation with the neighbouring countries. Consequently, on 26 November 2011, a joint statement of the Ministerial Meeting on Cooperation in Patrol, Law Enforcement was adopted by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. This marked the agreement on the four-nation joint patrol along the Mekong River starting from Guanlei port in Xishuangbanna (Sipsongpanna) in China to Chiang Saen port in Thailand.

The Wan Pong port in Myanmar and Xieng Kok port in Laos have strengthened security measures to prevent similar attacks. After a joint operation, the perpetrators of the Mekong attack were arrested by Lao law enforcement agencies and they were handed over to the Chinese authorities. The first joint patrol began on 10 December 2011 and the 30th round was conducted in January 2015. Security measures along the river, multilateral cooperation and intelligence sharing are significant developments. Now, the criminal networks operating in the region are experiencing the might of the joint law enforcement operations.

In August 2012, a MoU was signed between Laos and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) for constructing a road that connects Sing district of Luang Namtha and Tonpheung district of Bokeo along the Mekong River. Similarly, the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River was opened in December 2013 to improve transportation between Thailand and Yunnan via Laos. It connects Chiang Khong in Thailand with Houayxay in Laos. It is part of the Greater Mekong Sub-region’s (GMS) North-South Economic Corridor constructed with financial support from Laos, Thailand, China and the Asian Development Bank.

Whether these countries will be successful in turning the Golden Triangle Region into a centre of economic growth is not yet clear. However, cooperation on controlling drugs, arms smuggling, human trafficking, precursor chemicals and poppy cultivation are gaining momentum. Subsequently, their activities to control insurgency, border security issues and for economic development under the GMS and ASEAN are knocking hard the eastern gates.

Insurgency, nation-building process, mutual trust between India and Myanmar and other external factors are also pushing the eastern gate to Myanmar. Moreh will be a gateway to Southeast Asia but it will not be realised until the eastern gates to China, Laos and Thailand are opened through Myanmar. India’s long road to Mandalay should not shatter Manipur’s ‘Mandalay dream’. The resource rich Myanmar is opening up to the world and its economic construction is at a fast pace.

Is New Delhi sincere about opening the eastern gate to Myanmar? Union Home Minister’s visit to Moreh and the recent field survey of the road conducted by a joint team of the Indian and Myanmar officials might answer the question. If the answer is yes, then Manipur will cross the Chindwin and Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) Rivers to reach Mandalay. The next question is: how many years will it take to cross the Mekong River to reach Lao PDR? Only New Delhi can answer the question.


* Puyam Rakesh Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on February 17, 2015.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025