Kolkata-Kunming Forum for greater BCIM connectivity

A Track 2 initiative between Kolkata and Kunming, declared sister cities by India and China, has stressed on opening up the proposed BCIM growth corridor.

Subir Bhaumik from China's Kunmingbdnews24.com
Published : 29 Nov 2014, 04:37 AM
Updated : 29 Nov 2014, 05:17 AM

"With great importance to the BCIM growth corridor, K2K will encourage various aspects of connectivity between Kunming and Kolkata, including bilateral trade and tourism," said the Kunming Statement 2014 signed by the Indian and Chinese delegations at the end of the 10th K2K conference this week.

The BCIM growth corridor, proposed by China, connects the four nation grouping from Kolkata to Kunming via Bangladesh, northeast India and Myanmar.

The Kunming statement decided to promote tourism by focussing on World War 2 sites like Stillwell Road, the Kohima-Imphal Highway and the Chindwin River banks famous for the Chindit operations in 1942-43.

"First World War sites like, Ypres, Verdun and Somme in France and Belgium has attracted huge tourist inflow and that has boosted local economies hugely. 2014-15 also marks the 70th anniversary of the fierce battles of Second World War in Asia and many of the battle sites are in the BCIM growth corridor," said K2K Secretary General Binoda Mishra.

"That gives us a chance to boost poor local economies in this area because many tourists are likely to come from the West, China, India and Japan."

The Kunming statement also stressed on greater academic and business collaboration to strengthen the sister city relations between Kolkata and Kunming.

"This can strengthen the Sino-Indian partnership which holds the key to a new world order and a rising Asia," Mishra said.

India has been invited as the theme country at the China South Asia Expo to be held in 2015 at Kunming.

Delegates have also called for greater scientific cooperation between the research institutes of the two countries to protect shared eco systems.

Amarjyoti Borah, director of the Guwahati-based CESPR , proposed a 'scientific platform' to tackle environment challenges to shared eco systems like the Tsanpo-Brahmaputra river system which was crucial for Tibet, Northeast India and Bangladesh.