India is working with Myanmar’s military government as well as in touch with rebels to safeguard its interests in the strategically located Sittwe Port, which seeks to provide an alternative route for connectivity from India’s eastern coast to the northeastern states.
The India-built port, which is part of Kaladan multi-modal transit transport corridor, was pened in May 2023.
It has been learnt that India may encourage both the junta and the rebels of Arakan Army (AA) to provide security guarantees to the port amid an escalation in conflict there.
Although the Sittwe town in Myanmar’s Rakhine (earlier known as Arakan) province is still controlled by the junta, the AA has reportedly secured control of 14 townships in the province.
Recently, India’s ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur reviewed the port project in Sittwe. He was accompanied by Sunil Mukundan, managing director of India Ports Global Ltd, which operates the Sittwe Port.
During the visit, Thakur met chief minister of Rakhine U Htein Lin and discussed several bilateral development projects, capacity-building initiatives and humanitarian aid within the Arakan State Development Programme, which is focused on meeting the needs and priorities of the province’s people.
The two sides concurred that the Sittwe Port, part of the India-Myanmar Friendship Project, will\ bolster coastal, regional and international connectivity, as well as promote travel and tourism.?
The ambassador also highlighted the significance of re-establishing peace and stability in the area. He mentioned that this will facilitate improved people-to-people connectivity between India and Myanmar, while also realising the complete potential of the Kaladan project.?
Since its opening, the Sittwe Port has managed over 150 ships, moving a diverse array of cargo such as food, agricultural goods, medicines, fuel, vehicles, building supplies, machinery and equipment.
With the opening of the Sittwe Port, trade between India and Myanmar is likely to get a boost. Exports from India to Myanmar through this new shipping route may include construction materials such as cement, steel and bricks, among others, whereas India’s imports from Myanmar will be rice, timber, fish and seafood, petroleum products and garments, etc.
Trade in rupee may help facilitate not only the bilateral trade but also the procurement and shipment of goods needed to implement Indian projects in Myanmar.