The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway

The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway is a regional connectivity project proposed by former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and approved in 2002. It aims to establish a 1,400 km road link between India, Myanmar, and Thailand, beginning from Moreh, Manipur, India, through Myanmar and ending at Mae Sot in Thailand. The project, implemented by the Ministry of External Affairs, began in 2012 in various phases, with the India-Myanmar Friendship Road being the highway's first segment. Recently, Bangladesh expressed interest in joining the project, and extension plans include Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam to generate an estimated US$70 billion in incremental GDP by 2025. India's contribution involves constructing certain highway sections in Myanmar and a new connection from Zokhawthar, Mizoram to Tedim, Myanmar. However, the venture faces challenges, including complex political issues, security concerns, substantial investment needs, cooperation between countries, and potential environmental impacts.

Important Points to remember

  1. Understand the significance of the IMT trilateral highway and how it fosters regional connectivity.
  2. Take note of the project's various implementing agencies on the Indian side (especially the role of the Ministry of External Affairs.)
  3. Pay attention to the planned extensions of the highway and potential socioeconomic impacts.
  4. Understand the key challenges this project faces, which entail political complexity, security issues, infrastructural investment, international cooperation, and potential environmental damages