Context: Recently, India and Myanmar have agreed to work towards the operationalization of the Sittwe port in the Rakhine state in the first quarter of 2021.
Key highlights

• It was announced after the conclusion of the two-day visit of Indian Army Chief and Indian Foreign Secretary to Myanmar. 
• The progress in the ongoing Indian-assisted infrastructure projects was also discussed.
• India also announced a grant of $2 million Dollars for the construction of the border haat bridge at Byanyu/Sarsichauk in Chin State. 
• The haat will provide increased economic connectivity between Mizoram and Myanmar.

Sittwe port 

• It is situated at the mouth of the Kaladan River.
• It is being financed by India as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
• The Project is collaboration between India and Myanmar.

Significance

• Being a key connectivity project, commencement of operations at Sittwe port would offer new infrastructure for tradeby opening up the sea route between India and Myanmar.
• It will contribute to the economic development in the whole region, North-Eastern States of India and Rakhine and Chin States of Myanmar.
• It also provides a strategic link to the North-East, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor.
• The project is vital for India’s Act East Policy as it provides India access to Southeast Asian economies.