The strategic significance of India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway:

• This is going to help in our “Look East Policy.”
• Our presence is expected to increase in Southeast Asia.
• Our power in the Indian Ocean region will increase with regard to China, and aid in the balance of power.
• Regional groupings such as BIMSTEC will increase further and give us the ability to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.

The economic significance of India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway:

• This will give India direct access to the markets in South-East and East Asia.
• Trade capacity will increase with ASEAN.
• The highway can be connected to the free trade zone proposed to be built at Myanmar’s Sittwe Port.
• The highway is expected to expand into Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in the second phase.
• Vietnam ‘s inclusion would be important because it is a member of the TPP deal.

Political significance of India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway:

• Better regional cooperation through the project will help to improve the fight against terrorism, the management of disasters, piracy and bring peace and stability to the region.
• This will also assist in our effort to overhaul the UNSC.

Infrastructure programs are growth and development engines. The trilateral project therefore needs to be done in time-bound manner.

N-E India – should become better related to East and S-E Asia. The prospect of developing Food processing and other industries would increase, contributing to rapid regional growth.