Myanmar and Russian Regimes Push Indian Trade Corridor to Bypass Western Sanctions
“Junta Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo discussed the project with a Russian delegation led by Alexander Sergeevich Shatirov, director of Roscongress Investment Fund, in Naypyitaw on Monday.”
“Its efforts included bids for full membership of regional blocs such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where it currently holds dialogue partner status. During his visit to Belarus last month, Min Aung Hlaing called for Myanmar’s admission to the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as an observer at the earliest opportunity.”
“New Delhi has yet to comment on the proposed Russia-India-Myanmar corridor, which could overlap or intersect with India’s ongoing Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, a key component of its ‘Act East’ policy.”
“Launched in 2008, the Kaladan project aims to connect India’s eastern seaboard with its remote northeastern states and foster economic integration with Southeast Asia. The corridor links Kolkata Port with Rakhine State’s Sittwe Port via the Bay of Bengal, before progressing through the Kaladan River to Paletwa and onward by road to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border. While its key sea and river segments have been completed, the 109-km road section has faced repeated delays due to fierce fighting in Rakhine as well as contractor disputes and land acquisition issues.”
See also: A Myanmar-India-Russia Economic Corridor? India Not Against It