Bangladesh presses for harnessing BCIM economic corridor at Tripura summit

Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar should pursue proactive policies for engagement with neighbours by building connectivity and harnessing economic potentials, a Bangladesh minister has said.

“Improving people-to-people contact is another area we should work on,” said Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Thursday, the second day of three-day long North East Connectivity Summit being held in Indian state of Tripura.

“Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) region is one of the richest in the world in terms of resources. This region covers 9 percent of the world’s total area with 7.3 percent of the global domestic product and involves 440 million people,” he said.

“I believe that the proposed economic corridor of BCIM has huge prospects in the arena of trade, investment, energy, transport and tourism.”

Amu added that the connectivity summit will deepen friendly cooperation among the four member states and connect South Asia with South-East and East Asia by building multi-modal connectivity.

Praising India for the help it provided during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, the minister said Bangladesh, as its next-door neighbour, presents immense opportunity to improve business for reciprocal economic development, especially in the northeastern states.

“It is high time that steps should be taken for utilisation of those opportunities for economic development through smooth business environment and proactive policy of engagement with neighbours,” he added.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said India currently has best of relations with its South Asian neighbours, especially Bangladesh, and should utilise it for improving connectivity, trade and other ties.

“At present, (India’s) relations with Bangladesh are outstanding and that has to be utilized in a positive manner,” Sarker said. “In this regard, the government of India has to come forward with all seriousness.”

“Of course, our relation with other South East Asian countries is also good, and improving, this situation was not like ten years back.”

Sarkar gave all credits to the central government in New Delhi for improving relations with it neighbours in the South East Asia. But he suggested that India’s foreign policy "should not have any big brotherly attitude especially towards its neighbouring countries which are small nations".

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who also took part in the summit, suggested that considering the unique land-holding system among the Nagas, the government of India should consider an unfenced border between India and Myanmar.

“Instead of raising barbed-wire fencing, the policy makers should think of construction of roads which will not only help better connectivity and improved trade but also in counter-insurgency operations of the security forces.”

“I want the policy makers and planners to clearly understand the peculiar nature of Nagaland sector of Indo-Myanmar border. The situation is more or less similar in Manipur and Mizoram of Indo-Myanmar border,” the chief minister said.

“In fact, what we need is not barbed-wire fencing but construction of road along and across the border. We should have proper communication instead of keeping this as wildlife sanctuary.”

Zeliang asked the Indian government to start dialogue with Myanmar and reach an understanding for starting construction of roads and other developmental activities on both sides of the border within the 25 km aerial restriction area.

The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs have been imposing restrictions on construction and other development activities in bordering areas citing security reasons. There is a restriction on construction of road within 25 km aerial distance from the international Indo-Myanmar border and which means a lot, he observed

The programme has been organised by FICCI at Pragna Bhavan, Agartala with support of the Government of Tripura, Ministry of DoNER, North East Council and DIPP to formulate policies regarding connectivity in the region.