General Studies Mains Test Series (International Relations)

India and Myanmar economic ties.

India and Myanmar share special ties of culture, language, trade and tradition rooted in historical linkages through India’s North East. India sees a direct relationship between peace and stability across the borders with Myanmar with development and prosperity of its own North Eastern region. Over the past year, India’s close and multifaceted relationship with Myanmar has been further strengthened through an exchange of visits at the highest level.
Bilateral trade has expanded significantly from US$ 12.4 million in 1980-81 to US$ 1070.88 million in 2010-11. India’s imports from Myanmar are dominated by agricultural items (beans, pulses and forest based products form 90% of our imports).

India’s main exports to Myanmar are primary and semi-finished steel and pharmaceuticals.
India is working closely with Myanmar on various infrastructure development and cooperation projects, including in the field of roads, waterways, power, health, education and industrial training, telecommunications, and others.
India is assisting in strengthening the banking system in Myanmar as we inherit common banking laws,” and both the sides “set a bilateral trade target of USD 3 billion by 2015”.
Indian companies are interested in securing more exploratory oil and gas blocks both onshore and offshore in Myanmar.
In 2012, the total trade between the countries stood at USD 1.87 billion.
Myanmar is also central to India’s Look East Policy. Being the only ASEAN Country with which India shares a land boundary, Myanmar is India’s gateway to the larger ASEAN Community. India is actively engaged with Myanmar in improving cross border connectivity and expects that the direct and smooth road connectivity to South East Asia through Myanmar will be materialized by the end of this decade greatly facilitating trade, tourism and travel in the region.

The significant political and economic reforms instituted by the Government of Myanmar over the past year have led to an increased international interest in Myanmar. India remains committed to extending all possible assistance and support to the process of national reconciliation and the further strengthening of democracy in Myanmar