India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway

The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT Highway) is a strategic regional connectivity project designed to promote trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Extending over 1,360 kilometres, the highway seeks to link Moreh in Manipur (India) with Mae Sot in Thailand, passing through Tamu, Kalewa, and Mandalay in Myanmar. It is regarded as a flagship initiative under India’s Act East Policy, aiming to enhance physical and economic integration between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Background and Evolution

The idea of a trilateral highway was first proposed in the early 2000s as part of efforts to improve land connectivity between India and ASEAN. The project officially began in 2012, with India and Thailand collaborating with Myanmar for construction and upgrading of existing roads.

• India’s Role: Responsible for the construction and upgrading of certain stretches in Myanmar, particularly the Tamu–Kalewa–Kalemyo (TKK) road and Kalewa–Yagyi section.
• Myanmar’s Role: Development of intermediate segments and facilitation of cross-border connectivity.
• Thailand’s Role: Upgradation of roads from its border town Mae Sot to Myanmar’s Myawaddy, eventually connecting with India through Mandalay.

The highway is part of larger frameworks such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and ASEAN–India connectivity plans.

Route

The IMT Highway covers key nodes in all three countries:

• India: Moreh (Manipur)
• Myanmar: Tamu – Kalewa – Mandalay – Naypyidaw – Bago – Myawaddy
• Thailand: Mae Sot (Tak Province)

This alignment connects South Asia with the dynamic economies of Southeast Asia, linking hinterland regions to ports and markets.

Objectives and Significance

The Trilateral Highway has multiple objectives:

• Trade Expansion: Facilitates movement of goods, reducing transportation costs and time.
• Tourism Promotion: Enhances people-to-people contact by making overland travel easier.
• Strategic Connectivity: Strengthens India’s Act East Policy and counterbalances the influence of other powers in the region.
• Regional Integration: Enhances cooperation under ASEAN and BIMSTEC, supporting economic growth corridors.
• Socio-Economic Development: Provides new opportunities for border states in India, especially the North Eastern Region.

Challenges in Implementation

The project has faced considerable delays and obstacles:

• Difficult Terrain: Mountainous and forested regions in Myanmar make construction challenging.
• Security Concerns: Insurgency and instability in Myanmar’s border regions have affected progress.
• Funding and Technical Issues: High costs, delays in tenders, and poor maintenance of earlier constructed stretches.
• Political Instability: The 2021 military coup in Myanmar and subsequent conflicts slowed work and complicated coordination.
• Customs and Regulatory Barriers: Beyond physical construction, harmonisation of rules, visa regimes, and vehicle permits is required.

Recent Developments

• India has been working on the Kalewa–Yagyi section, a 120 km stretch in Myanmar, with repeated extensions in deadlines due to difficult terrain and political conditions.
• Efforts are ongoing to establish border infrastructure at Moreh (India) and Tamu (Myanmar), including integrated check posts (ICPs).
• Proposals exist for extending the highway further to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, transforming it into part of a broader Asian Highway Network (AHN).

Strategic and Economic Importance

• Geopolitical Relevance: The IMT Highway counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by strengthening India–ASEAN connectivity.
• Economic Growth Corridor: Boosts trade between India and ASEAN, which already exceeds USD 100 billion annually.
• North-East India Development: Opens new economic opportunities for India’s North Eastern Region by connecting it to global markets.
• Cultural Exchange: Reinforces historical linkages of Buddhism, trade, and cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is a landmark project with the potential to transform regional connectivity. While construction challenges and political instability in Myanmar have slowed its progress, its eventual completion will mark a significant step towards realising the vision of seamless road connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia. As part of India’s Act East Policy, the highway is expected to become a vital economic and strategic corridor in the Indo-Pacific region.