Kaladan.com

NEW DELHI, Oct 9 – While the world’s attention remained fixed on the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar, India is going ahead and signing the agreement with the militant junta paving the way for development of the Sittwe Port. According to highly placed, India and Myanmar are likely to seal the deal in two to three weeks time.

India is likely to invest more than $103 million in the construction of the port, in the town of Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, while Myanmar has committed about $ 10 million in the joint venture project. Mizoram is about 160 km the port.

India and Myanmar have been giving final touches to a joint project, which will enable the North Eastern States to conduct trade directly with South-East Asia through Sittwe port, bypassing Bangladesh.

The development of the Port is part of the Kaladan multi-modal transport Project is envisaged to facilitate movement of cargo vessels from Mizoram through Kaladan River, all the way to Sittwe.

Sources said the papers were lying with the Mynamar Government and indication was that the other side was ready to shortly sign the deal.

The Sittwe Port Project is likely to take three years to complete. The project will not only benefit North Eastern States, but will also contribute to the development of Sittwe and the improvement of the Kaladan River System, sources said.

Besides providing an access to South East Asia , Sittwe port would also be an exit point to mainland India. The Port lies about 12 hours from Haldia, 36 from Vishakapatnam.

However, signing of the deal at a time when Myanmar is facing international sanctions, following the military crackdown on the monks may lead to further international uproar.

Sources, however, hinted that India was not about to bow to international pressure on Myanmar. India ’s stand depends on its interest. “We see Myanmar from India ’s point of point view,” he added.

For India, Myanmar is sensitive and several factors have forced it to restraint its reactions. Military junta’s cooperation in flushing out the North-east based insurgent groups taking shelter in that country, the country’s gas and oil reserve, besides access to bustling markets of South East Asia, seems to have been factored in. Myanmar recently gave three oil blocks to OVL.

Transit right through Myanmar is the key to the success of India’s flagship Look East Policy.

India feels that international sanctions also may serve the purpose. Sanctions are not the right answer. Regime change depends on people of Myanmar and not on international pressure, sources added.

New Delhi, however, was hopeful of the UN Special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari’s endeavour. The military junta and Nobel Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi have made some reconciliatory gestures.

Sources said India’s Ambassador has met Suu Kyi and the Foreign Secretary met her twice.

India is of the opinion that military crackdown this time was not as severe as in 1988-89. India feels that there should be a ‘credible inquiry’ in the recent incidents and report should be published.

“We are concerned at the situation in Myanmar and are monitoring it closely. It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue,” was how External Affairs spokesman had reacted.

“As a close and friendly neighbour, India hopes to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar, where all sections of the people will be included in a broad-based process of national reconciliation and political reform,” he said.

Myanmar’s process of national reconciliation initiated by the authorities should be expedited, India had further called for.

Source: From Kalyan Barooah, AssamTribune.com

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