TR Zeliang bats for Tri-lateral Highway
Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur, November 28 2016: Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang stressed on the importance of the proposed India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway saying it could be one of the most significant steps for connectivity in the Southeast Asian region in the 21st Century since the road will not only connect North East India with Myanmar and Thailand but will be a part of the greater scheme of connectivity of the BBIN (Bangladesh � Bhutan � India � Nepal) with South East Asia.

"The enormous economic activity that will be generated by this highway can only be imagined now," he said.

"It will open up the land-locked region of India's North-East region as well as Myanmar's North-West and integrate them with the rest of India, Myanmar, Thailand and other South East Asian countries including Malaysia" .

He called upon the leaders of the neighbouring countries in the region to take it upon themselves as their "collective responsibility to ensure that this initiative is carried forward in real earnest, so that it becomes a reality during our life-time" .

Addressing at the International Business Seminar in Yangon, Myanmar yesterday as part of India-Myanmar-Thailand motor rally in the presence of Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister, Yangon Region, Government of Myanmar, Sanjay Mitra, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, HE Vikram Misri, Ambassador of India to Myanmar and a host of officials from India, Zeliang said this highway will facilitate global trade and commerce passing through one of the most underdeveloped regions of the world.

Pointing out that the difficult mountainous terrain of North East India and the North West Myanmar has its own challenges as well as promises Zeliang said opening up this land-locked region will "unleash a new process of economic development, not only in this region, but in other parts of Asia as well" .

On the ethnic diversity of the region, Zeliang pointed out that there are as many Nagas living in Myanmar as in India and this fact is recognized by both the countries.

"Ethnic diversities can be either opportunities or problems, depending on how you handle them.

On the negative side, this can be a source of unrest and turmoil.

Many of the ethnic groups, both in India and Myanmar, have been pursuing their self determination for the last many years.

Nagaland itself has been weighed down by the Naga political problem for the last seven decades.

However, on the other hand, if we can channelize the energies of all these ethnic groups to positive use, by creating a sense of ownership, participation and mutual co-existence, the outcomes will be tremendous.

I believe that this can be achieved if the Governments concerned handle the various ethnic groups and take care of their concerns and sensibilities, along with their socio-economic development needs," Zeliang said and opined that proper handling of these concerns could transform the tremendous energies, resources and potentials of this region for the common good of Asia and the world.

"Till now, the region is more known to the world as the "Golden Triangle", famous for insurgency and smuggling of contraband items.

If there is some truth in this, it is basically because they have few other alternatives for survival in a fast changing globalized world," he said.

He also said that the Government of India and the various Naga political groups have also embarked on a 'Peace Process' to settle the outstanding political issues through a democratic process of negotiation and dialogue and that India is watching with great expectations the movement for Democracy gaining ground in Myanmar.

"It is heartening to see the democratic process beginning to take firm roots in Myanmar, and other South- East Asian countries.

It gives us new hope for our future," he said and added that peace and development are two sides of the same coin.

"The hard earned democracy can be very tenuous and fragile, unless it is accompanied with appropriate socio-economic development," Zeliang said .

Nagaland CM TR Zeliang also stressed that this should be at the core of our thinking, while making plans for better road connectivity between India- Myanmar- Thailand and other South East Asian countries.

"Let us understand that the cultural and historical linkages of the region are our asset and strength for building bilateral relations, and for development of trade and investment.

We, in Nagaland, look to the presence of a large number of Nagas living in Myanmar as our basic advantage for participating in India's Act East Policy, for building cultural and economic relationships with South-East Asian nations," he said.

"Currently, India's largest export to Myanmar is pharmaceutical products along with essential oils and perfumes, cotton and some machinery.

India on the other hand, imports huge quantity of agricultural products from Myanmar.

But these are largely taking place through the sea route, missing out on the most natural and economic land route.

There is already a large quantum of informal trade taking place between Myanmar and NE India.

These informal trades have to be formalized, expanded and capitalized to substantially benefit the economy of the region.

"Nagaland by itself has much to offer in terms of services.

Our educational network is quite substantial.

So also our health care facilities.

It is a well known secret that many people from Myanmar have been availing of such facilities in Nagaland over the years.

This should be encouraged and formalized as a part of our people to people contact policy.

For this, along with the present policy for building the Asian Highway, we should also think in terms of building smaller and shorter connecting roads," Zeliang said.

He went on to suggest that border towns such as Noklak and Mon could be connected with Lahe and Hkamti through Longwa, Chen and Pangsha border towns on Indian side of the border.

Similarly further south, Meluri could be connected through Avangkhu to Layshi, and thence to Tamanthi. He said these smaller and shorter linkages will require very little investment.

"They will also act as feeders to the Asian Highway that we are contemplating today", TR Zeliang added.

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