India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway starts from India and goes to Thailand via Myanmar. It is at the centre of transport diplomacy among ASEAN countries. Recently Bangladesh has shown its willingness to join the tripartite highway.

About India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

It is a significant regional connectivity project that aims to establish a road link between India, Myanmar, and Thailand.
The highway will span a distance of approximately 1,360 kilometres (845 miles), starting from Moreh in Manipur, India, and passing through Myanmar before reaching Mae Sot in Thailand.
It was first proposed by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and was approved at a ministerial-level meeting between India, Myanmar and Thailand in April 2002.
The construction of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway began in 2012 and is being implemented in several phases.
The India-Myanmar Friendship Road forms the first segment of the IMT Highway. It runs from the border at Tamu/Moreh to Kalemyo and Kalewa.
Implementing agencies: On the Indian side, the project is being implemented by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with the cooperation of its counterparts in Myanmar and Thailand and budgetary allocation from the Ministry of Finance.

Benefits of the project

The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highways project is aimed at opening the gate to ASEAN through the land.
The project will boost trade and commerce in the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia.
Since India has been working towards increasing its engagements with South East Asia under its `Act East Policy’ the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region.

India’s efforts under the project

India has undertaken the construction of two sections of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar. These are the 120.74 km Kalewa-Yagyi road section and 69 bridges along with the approach road on the 149.70 km Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section.

India requested for one Land Port without a negative list, starting with Agartala-Akhaura and for transportation of goods from Chattogram port to the North East of India. India also proposed that its trucks use the Feni Bridge, once it is complete.

Way Forward

Recently India and Bangladesh have expanded their transport and connectivity routes. Sonamura Daudkandi Inland Waterway Route, Feni Bridge from Sabroom to Ramgarh and Haldibari Chilahati rail route are its examples. Leaving India aside now it is upto Thailand and Myanmar to accept Bangladesh to join IMT Highway.

FAQs about India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

Q1: What is the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway?

A1: The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a regional connectivity project that aims to establish a road link between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. It spans a distance of approximately 1,360 kilometers (845 miles), starting from Moreh in Manipur, India, passing through Myanmar, and reaching Mae Sot in Thailand.

Q2: When was the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway proposed and approved?

A2: The highway was first proposed by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. It was approved at a ministerial-level meeting between India, Myanmar, and Thailand in April 2002.

Q3: Who is implementing the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project?

A3: The project is being implemented by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the Indian side, in cooperation with counterparts in Myanmar and Thailand. The project receives budgetary allocation from the Ministry of Finance.