{"id":41396,"date":"2025-04-17T19:39:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=41396"},"modified":"2025-04-17T19:39:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:09:21","slug":"northeast-gateway-southeast-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-04-2025\/northeast-gateway-southeast-asia","title":{"rendered":"Growing relevance of the Northeast &#8211; as a gateway to Southeast Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR\/GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the <strong>growing relevance of the Northeast &#8211; as a gateway to Southeast Asia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EAM was virtually addressing a meeting of ambassadors for the<strong> upcoming North East Investors Summit 2025.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was organised by the <strong>Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He said the northeast region is at the heart of many key Indian policies &#8212; <strong>Neighbourhood First, Act East or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>North Eastern Region (NER)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The NER comprises eight States viz. <\/strong>Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This region is culturally and ethnically diverse<\/strong> having <strong>more than 200 ethnic groups <\/strong>which have distinct languages, dialects and socio-cultural identities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Region covers<strong> 7.97% of the country\u2019s geographical area<\/strong> and<strong> 3.78%<\/strong> of its population.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It has 5,484 km of international border <\/strong>viz. Bangladesh (1,880 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), China (1,346 km), Bhutan (516 km) and Nepal (99 km).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dee2de\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"888\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/india-north-east-zone-map.png\" alt=\"india north east zone map\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-41399\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dee2de; width:432px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/india-north-east-zone-map.png 800w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/india-north-east-zone-map-270x300.png 270w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/india-north-east-zone-map-768x852.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How is it a gateway to South East Asia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NER has the potential to become a <strong>vibrant link between India and East\/Southeast Asia.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>BIMSTEC,<\/strong> especially countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan, can facilitate cross-border connectivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: <\/strong>It is aimed at connecting the <strong>port of Kolkata with the port of Sittwe in Rakhine<\/strong> which would then be connected to <strong>Mizoram by road<\/strong> and the <strong>Kaladan river which flows by Paletwa.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sea route:<\/strong> Kolkata \u2013 Sittwe (Myanmar).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>River route: <\/strong>Sittwe \u2013 Paletwa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Road route: <\/strong>Paletwa \u2013 Zorinpui (Mizoram border).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India-Myanmar-Thailand highway: <\/strong>The<strong> 1,400-km-long highway<\/strong> that connects the <strong>three nations is nearly 70% completed<\/strong>, but the rest of the work has been affected at several places due to political changes in Myanmar since the military coup in 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"add6da\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/India-Myanmar-Thailand-highway.png\" alt=\"India Myanmar Thailand highway\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-41397\" style=\"--dominant-color: #add6da; width:544px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/India-Myanmar-Thailand-highway.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/India-Myanmar-Thailand-highway-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/India-Myanmar-Thailand-highway-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Motor Vehicles Agreements (MVA): <\/strong>Crucial for seamless cross-border movement of goods and people. <strong>Two MVAs in progress:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BBIN MVA (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India-Myanmar-Thailand MVA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Modern investments come via Japan\u2019s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India-Japan Act East Forum (established 2017).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitates infrastructure and cultural connectivity projects in the NER.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Connectivity corridors (road and rail)<\/strong> are key to integrating India with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and ASEAN countries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mountainous terrain<\/strong> makes railway construction challenging in the NER.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurgent groups<\/strong> disrupt progress, including abductions of Indian workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Myanmar\u2019s ongoing political turmoil <\/strong>hampers project completion and cooperation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motor Vehicles Agreements (MVA): <\/strong>Bhutan withdrew from BBIN MVA over environmental concerns.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thailand is hesitant due to potential disadvantages for local businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Historically neglected, the <strong>northeast has gained prominence in recent decades.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its<strong> strategic value has increased<\/strong> due to <strong>India\u2019s \u2018Act East\u2019 Policy and evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The region is now seen as a<strong> vital gateway for India\u2019s regional connectivity initiatives.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ongoing connectivity efforts require<strong> capacity-building for rail and road projects <\/strong>and<strong> improved border infrastructure.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The overarching goal is to <strong>maximise the multi-dimensional potential<\/strong> of the northeast and <strong>cement its role as a regional connectivity hub.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>About Siliguri Corridor&nbsp;<\/strong><br>&#8211; It is also referred to as the <strong>Chicken\u2019s Neck,<\/strong> is a narrow strip of land in West Bengal that connects the Northeastern States to the rest of the country.<br>&#8211; It is a very important strategic area of eastern India, located between <strong>Mahananda and Teesta river.&nbsp;<\/strong><br><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"About Siliguri Corridor&nbsp;\" width=\"234\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfIaBJFWhI2qWQb_vVqPbjDCJW9jPzGsNrdIXDMUZrUzpYe1lv69JRLFxWkFBPGR7Xj8jw22cYMApMuT2v5cU6wXzs1Gpzt4ogPieuVmjmgHBGcAxH9Ml0Ry0KicWDYS3ja2eR3?key=IBB41KiH4quLA_QKMvsZWH1X\"><br><br><strong>Significance of Siliguri Corridor<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Strategic Connectivity: <\/strong>If disrupted, it would isolate the north east states, making it difficult for the government to supply essential goods, services, and military support.<br>&#8211; <strong>Military and Defense Considerations:<\/strong> It lies close to sensitive international borders, particularly with China, Nepal, and Bangladesh.<br>1. It ensures unhindered movement of Indian forces and supplies in the event of a conflict.<br>&#8211; <strong>Geopolitical Vulnerability:<\/strong> The narrowness of the corridor makes it vulnerable to blockages or control by adversaries.&nbsp;<br>1. Any disruption could sever India&#8217;s access to the northeast, giving external powers an opportunity to influence or destabilize the region.<br>&#8211; <strong>Economic and Trade Importance: <\/strong>It also facilitates cross-border trade with neighboring countries like Bangladesh.<br>&#8211; <strong>Internal Security:<\/strong> Ensuring the security of the Siliguri Corridor is important for internal peace, as it helps prevent external influences from destabilizing the region and supports national unity.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/northeastern-region-is-the-gateway-to-southeast-asia-says-jaishankar\/article69457353.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the growing relevance of the Northeast &#8211; as a gateway to Southeast Asia.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">EAM was virtually addressing a meeting of ambassadors for the upcoming North East Investors Summit 2025.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It was organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/17-04-2025\/northeast-gateway-southeast-asia\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41396"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41430,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41396\/revisions\/41430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}