(a) whether there is any trilateral understanding among India, Myanmar and Thailand for transport linkage;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) Whether there is any proposal to construct a Highway connecting these countries and extending upto Singapore;
(d) If so, the details thereof;
(e) Whether the Union Government have started constructing road inside Myanmar; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI VINOD KHANNA)
(a) Yes.
(b) EAM attended the India-Myanmar-Thailand Ministerial Meeting on Transport Linkages held on April 5-6, 2002 in Myanmar. The three Foreign Ministers agreed to development of transport linkages inter-connecting the three countries, focusing on construction of a highway through Myanmar that would promote trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people interaction. This will promote cooperation between South Asia and South-East Asia. The following areas of cooperation were agreed:
(i) Construction of a highway from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand through Bagan in Myanmar.
(ii) Promotion of a highway from Kanchanaburi in Thailand to Dawei deep seaport in Myanmar and shipping links to seaports in India as part and parcel of one integrated package.
(iii) Promotion of trade, investment and tourism through facilitation of transit of goods and people across the border
(iv) Cooperation in human resource development.
Two task forces have been set up for implementation of this project, the one on financing chaired by Thailand and the one on technical matters chaired by India. The two task forces met from December 2-4, 2002 in Yangon where details on the alignment of the highway, upgradation of the existing roads that would form part of the highway, its physical verification and modalities of funding were discussed.
(c) No.
(d, e & f) Does not apply.