New Myanmar and India

British PM, US secretary of States, Chinese delegations, South Korean government trade delegation, Malaysian PM’s 50 top officials, 21 Thailand top companies’ delegation to Myanmar and so many other news show that ‘All Roads Lead to Myanmar’. All these countries and many more from all around the globe have suddenly renewed interest in improving trade relations with Myanmar. This is mainly because they all have noticed the emergence of true democracy in Myanmar and all those countries recognize geographical importance and business potential of Myanmar.

Indian government is also not far behind, but they should do so with much harder push. Traditionally and historically, Myanmar feels closer to India than any other nation. Buddhism is the strongest link between two nations. National epic of Myanmar ‘Yama Zatdaw’ is adaptation of Ramayana.  Land connection between North East States, i.e. Seven Sister States of India and Myanmar is of immense importance more to India than to Myanmar.  If the road link between these states and Myanmar is established at various points, then it would automatically lead to the development of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. For a long time, there has been a talk about reopening of Stilwell Road, connecting Myanmar and India. China and Thailand already have good road links with Myanmar.

India mainly imports pulses and wood products from Myanmar and India’s main export is meat and Pharmaceuticals. The total trade is around 1.5 Billion $. India is capable of investing in agriculture, cattle and poultry farming, Engineering, mining, construction and power generation. It is the best time for India to enter into these sectors in Myanmar.  Myanmar also has good potential as buyer of weapons and military hardware and the country has been giving preference to India over western nations. Two nations must find means of trading without dependence on US$, Euro or Singapore $, as it is at present.

Myanmar population is nearly 60 million and GDP is $ 43 billion and nearly 3% annual growth rate. Myanmar produces very high quality sapphires, pearls, Jades and Rubies. Myanmar has huge deposits of natural gas, so much so that India is going to invest in construction of gas pipe lines between two nations.

The well established land link and good road transport infrastructure will open the avenues for trade with entire Southeast Asia having combined population of   60crs and GDP $24000Crs.  This opportunity must be grabbed with both hands.

40 years ago, India was instrumental for birth of a nation called Bangladesh. Today, India contributes only 12% of total Imports by Bangladesh and India has somewhat strained relations with Bangladesh. In any case, India must show great political will and acumen so that this emerging democracy can become very good friend, neighbor and trade partner.