India to hold talks with ASEAN to extend IMT highway up to Vietnam

India is planning to hold talks with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to extend India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway up to Vietnam.
As per proposals from India, the 1,360 km long IMT highway from Moreh in India to Mae-Sot in Thailand can be extended to Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.

Key Facts

The connectivity provided by expansion of IMT highway till Vietnam can generate an estimated $70 billion annually in incremental GDP and $20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025. Besides, it will provide much required market for crops grown in hilly regions of Northeast India, thus benefiting growers in getting better price for their produce.

IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA)

Besides, Government is also working to connect India with South East Asia is IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement (IMT MVA). India, Myanmar and Thailand had commenced negotiations for finalising and implementing IMT MVA in 2014 to utilise physical road infrastructure on IMT Trilateral Highway.

India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) highway

The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is highway under construction under India’s Act East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with rest of Southeast Asia.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2017