India, Myanmar to open 5 more border points

YANGON, February 15: In keeping with the changing perception in their relationship, India and Myanmar have identified at least five points in the Northeastern states of Mizoram and Nagaland for opening of border trade with the neigh-bouring country. The issue of opening of more border trading points in the economically backward NE states and North Western Myanmar received the green signal at a meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior General Than Shwe here this morning. Indian officials revealed that five points in the Northeast which have been identified were the Champai-Rih sector and Paletwa in Mizoram, Lungwa-Yangyong and Pangsha-Pongnyo in Nagaland-Myanmar sector. Of these points, the Champi-Rih point in Mizoram-Myanmar sector is likely to be opened soon as the Myanmar government accepted a long-pending request of the Indian government to let it set up a Bailey bridge in the area linking India with Myanmar. The Indian government's proposal to convert the small border huts into border trading points was accepted by the Myanmar government, leading to the prospect of opening of the border trading in the sector. Though a decision was taken by the Myanmar government to open the Champai-Rih sector according to the trade agreement in 1994, certain hurdles like not allowing the Indian government to set up the Bailey bridge linking the two countries in the sector was held back by the Myanmar government. The decision to allow the Indian Government to go ahead with the project was conveyed at the meeting today that was attended by all top brass of the army-led Myanmar government. Meanwhile, as for the opening of the other border points in the Northeast, officials said that two sides discussed the possibility of opening the Nagaland-Myanmar sector for formal trade as currently weekly markets are going and has the potential of becoming border trading points. The two sides also discussed the possibility of opening an Indian Consulate in Mandalay and details are likely to be worked out by the foreign ministries of the two countries, said the MEA spokesman, R S Jassal. The issue of allowing cross border movement of people through the Northeast is also on and with the completion of the Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo highway and the construction of a bridge over the Chindwin River at Nonywa, it would be possible to travel from Northeast to Mandalay, the commercial and cultural capital of Central Myanmar, within a day. Significantly, the two sides also discussed the issue of checking border terrorism in the region. The military ruler assured the Singh of its cooperation in checking the activities of the militant outfits and continuation of the anti-insurgency operations. The MEA spokesman said Singh conveyed willingness of the Indian government to cooperate with its Myanmar counterpart in executing mutually beneficial infrastructure projects. The two sides reviewed the progress on the proposed Tamanthi-hydro electric power project, across the Nagaland border in Myanmar, as well as the proposed Kaladan river navigation project. India has also expressed its desire to execute road and gas pipeline project in Myanmar's Rakhine State, which would provide a link to southern Mizoram. Also in the pipeline could be another power project, the proposed Yeywa hydroelectric project near Mandalay. To explore the feasibility of the two power projects, the India government is despatching a high-level delegation from the Union Power Ministry. Later, talking to the newsmen before his departure for New Delhi, Singh said India and Myanmar for long been having informal trade and need of the hour was to convert those into formal trade by converting into trade by Letter of Credit and setting up banks on both sides of the border. Singh also extended invitation to Myanmar's Foreign Minister Win Aung to visit India.