Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar’s President U Min Aung Hlaing held detailed discussions in New Delhi on Monday, during which Myanmar assured India that it would do everything possible to push forward two critical connectivity projects that have been stalled due to ongoing hostilities in Myanmar.

The assurance was conveyed during the President’s four-day visit to India, which has focused on strengthening bilateral ties across multiple domains.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway remain major priorities for both nations, despite delays caused by the volatile security situation.

The Kaladan project runs through Rakhine state, where active hostilities between the Myanmar army and ethnic armed groups have disrupted progress. Similarly, the Trilateral Highway’s Kalewa-Yagyi segment lies in a zone where ethnic armed groups and People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) are engaged in clashes with the military. Foreign Secretary Misri noted that work continues during lulls in fighting, when worker safety can be ensured, but deadlines have had to be adjusted due to the unpredictability of civil conflict.

The Kaladan project, awarded in May 2017, includes a road section from Zorinpui in India to Paletwa in Myanmar. While progress has been slow due to security concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic, the waterways component has been completed, including the port at Sittwe and Inland Water Transport terminals at Sittwe and Paletwa. Efforts are ongoing to expedite the remaining road construction.

The Trilateral Highway, a 1,360-km-long corridor connecting Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand, has also faced repeated delays. India is responsible for two sections in Myanmar: the Kalewa-Yagyi road section, begun in May 2018, and the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa section, including 69 bridges, started in November 2017. Both are being executed on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction basis.

During the talks, both leaders underlined the importance of connectivity for enhancing people-to-people contacts and agreed to work as quickly as possible towards completing the Kaladan project and the Kalewa-Yagyi segment of the Trilateral Highway.

Misri emphasised that connectivity remains central to India’s regional strategy, not only for trade and economic integration but also for strengthening cultural and social exchanges. The discussions also covered the full spectrum of bilateral issues, including defence and security cooperation, border management, development assistance, cultural exchanges, and regional dynamics.

Both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, health, education, energy, and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and the space sector.

President Hlaing’s visit, which runs from May 30 to June 2, reflects Myanmar’s intent to deepen ties with India despite internal challenges. His assurance to push forward connectivity projects highlights the strategic importance of these initiatives, which are seen as vital for regional integration and India’s Act East policy.

The completion of these projects would significantly enhance India’s access to Southeast Asia, while also providing Myanmar with greater economic opportunities and infrastructure development.

ANI