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By Geeta Mohan: The strategic Sittwe Port in Myanmar was jointly inaugurated by Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal and Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications of Myanmar, Admiral Tin Aung San on Wednesday. At the event, they received the first Indian cargo ship which was flagged off from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
The Port, built with Indian assistance, will play a key role in connectivity and would lead to 50 per cent reduction in cost and time of transportation of goods between Kolkata, Agartala and Aizwal.
"This will promote trade connectivity and people to people ties between India and Myanmar and the wider region and will help boost economic development of NE states under 'Act East Policy' of the Government," said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the inauguration.
Sittwe Port forms a link in India's Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. A sea lane connects Kolkata in eastern India to Sittwe on Myanmar's western coast. From there, the corridor traces an inland route through Myanmar via the Kaladan River and a highway, crossing into northeastern India.
"The operationalisation of Sittwe Port would enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local economy of Rakhine State of Myanmar. The greater connectivity provided by the Port will lead to employment opportunities and enhanced growth prospects in the region," said a press release issued by the ports ministry.
Union minister Sonowal reiterated India's longstanding commitment towards the development and prosperity of people of Myanmar through developmental initiatives such as the Sittwe Port.
In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Sonowal highlighted the close historical, cultural and economic ties between India and Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine state.
It is the Rakhine state that is the troubled region of Myanmar, where the Rohingya community is primarily based. A resource rich region of the country now is mired in tensions with many of the Rohingyas living as refugees in border states, particularly in Bangladesh, after they had to flee state persecution by the Junta.
According to the ministry, "This project was conceptualized to provide an alternative connectivity of Mizoram with Haldia / Kolkata / any Indian ports through Kaladan River in Myanmar. The project envisages highway road transport from Mizoram to Paletwa (Myanmar), thereafter from Paletwa to Sittwe (Myanmar) by Inland Water Transport (IWT) and from Sittwe to any port in India by maritime shipping."
The major cargo for export for Sittwe Port (ie, exports from Myanmar) include Rice, Timber, Fish and seafood, Petroleum products and Garments and textiles.
The major cargo for import for Sittwe Port (ie, imports by Myanmar) include construction materials such as cement, steel and bricks among others.
The Port will open up new opportunities for India’s Northeast as it will be able to use an alternate and more feasible route for trade and transit and also, for Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State, will further enhance trade and commerce between the two countries and the wider region.
The construction of the Sittwe port, developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) — an autonomous organization under the Union shipping ministry — was completed as far back as 2018.
However, its operationalization was impeded by a number of obstacles, including the political unrest in Myanmar and the intense conflict in the Chin and Rakhine state, resulting in delays in obtaining necessary approvals and licenses
Myanmar is of geo-strategic importance to both India and China therefore both have maintained ties with the military regime since the 2021 takeover and toppling of the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The two countries have not followed Western sanctions despite political persecution and detentions in the country.
India-financed Sittwe Port opens in Myanmar, countering China's connectivity projects
The ports minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications of Myanmar, Admiral Tin Aung San inaugurated Sittwe Port on Wednesday.
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