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The Hindustantimes (New Delhi): Dec



Subject: The Hindustantimes (New Delhi): December 3, 1998

India to build roads for Myanmar
NEW DELHI, Dec. 3 (HT Correspondent)

India has for the first time served notice that it is willing to take on
China in Myanmar -- in the sphere of strategic road building.

While roads are being built on Myanmar's eastern border with Chinese help,
India is keen on developing and upgrading roads in those areas of Myanmar
that are close to India's borders.

In the areas close to India s borders, it would be in our interest to ensure
the development of roads and communications in cooperation with India rather
than any other country, says the External Affairs Ministry.

Defending its decision to build the Tamu-Kalemyo road along the
India-Myanmar border, the Ministry has in its action taken report on the
recommendations of the Committee on Demands for Grants stated: The project
will also symbolise India s capabilities and would send a positive signal to
Myanmar in regard to India s economic and technological power.

It was in 1993 that India had offered to the Government of Myanmar
cooperation in upgrading of border roads and development of telecom
facilities in the region. Subsequently, it was decided to fund the project
from the External Affairs Ministry's budget, while the construction was to
be undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation.

The projected security spin-off for India was that the road, besides
improving the infrastructure in the areas close to our border, would
facilitate a better Myanmarese check on the activities of Indian insurgent
groups using some border stretches as transit routes. The feasability of the
project was examined by the Defence and Home Affairs Ministries.

The Committee of Secretaries decided that the road had strategic importance
from India s security and commercial point of view. It was felt to be in the
national interest that the project be implemented and accorded high
priority.

It would also be a visible symbol of Indian capability and our commitment to
develop bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest , according to the
Ministry. Since 1993, an institutionalised dialogue has been established
between the two governments for improved border management, security and
control of narcotic traffic.

The ministry said it had been recognised that the effective security
arrangements in the border areas would increase Myanmar s ability to
cooperate in curbing insurgency.

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