Current context:

=> The Union External Affairs Minister – Dr S Jaishankar inaugurated the 3rd edition of NADI – Natural Allies in Development & Interdependence conclave at Guwahati; in presence of the Bangladesh Foreign Minister – A K Abdul Momen, Assam Chief Minister – Himanta Biswa Sarma, and high commissioners and ambassadors from various countries.

=> The conclave is hosted by Shillong-based think tank Asian Confluence in partnership with the Union External Affairs Ministry, the Assam government’s Act East Policy Affairs Department, the North Eastern Council (NEC).

Important issues discussed:

=> The Union External Affairs Minister – Dr S Jaishankar talked about 2 issues mainly-

• Kaladan Multimodal project completion
• India Bhutan Rail Link via Assam

Kaladan Multimodal project:

=> It is a Multimodal Transit project connecting the state of Mizoram with the Kolkata port via Myanmar.

=> It is joint initiative of India and Myanmar.

=> The project has three different stretches

1. Shipping: Kolkata port to Sittwe port (across Bay of Bengal)

2. Inland water transport: Sittwe port to Paletwa (through River Kaladan)

3. Road stretches: From Paletwa (Myanmar) to Zorinpuri (Indo-Myanmar border on Mizoram)

=> This project will reduce distance from Kolkata to Mizoram by approximately 1000 km and cut travelling time to 3-4 days for transport of goods.

Issues:

• Initiated in 2008,the project was to be completed in 8 years ie by 2016.
• But the project is yet not completed.

Reasons behind delay-

1. Difficult topography

2. Insurgency

• Insurgent groups like NSCN(K) active in the region.
• Golden Triangle-notorious for opium production and trafficking.

3. Lack of Cooperation with Myanmar government after military coup in 2021.

India Bhutan Rail Link:

=> So far there is no rail transport in Bhutan.

=> But Bhutan and India have signed a memorandum of understanding to connect Bhutan with the Indian Railways network.

=> The proposed Rail link will pass via Assam, thus will provide economic opportunities for Assam.

=> The rail link is aimed at expanding the Buddhist circuit to connect cherished religious destinations in Bhutan and Nepal to those in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED