India-Myanmar Relations: Act East Policy, Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project
International Relations & Places in News › India and Its Neighbourhood · Topic 2.6
India-Myanmar relations make Myanmar the land gateway of India to South-East Asia under the Act East Policy. The two countries share a 1,643 km border with four Indian states, and projects such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway aim to link the north-east with the sea and with ASEAN. Myanmar's military-controlled elections of 2025-26 and the control of Rakhine by the Arakan Army complicate the projects.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · International Relations · India and Its Neighbourhood
At a Glance
- Border About 1,643 km; Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram
- Flagship project Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project
- Highway India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
- Politics Elections December 2025 and January 2026; Min Aung Hlaing president
- Challenge Arakan Army controls much of Rakhine and Paletwa
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, International Relations: India and Its Neighbourhood
Where Does It Fit?
This is the sixth topic of the macro on India and its neighbourhood. Myanmar links India’s north-east to South-East Asia, but it has been unstable since the military coup of 2021. Previous topic: India-Sri Lanka Relations: Katchatheevu Issue, Tamil Ethnic Question, Fishermen Disputes. Next topic: India-Afghanistan Relations: Reconstruction Assistance, Chabahar Port Access.
Why Does Myanmar Matter to India?
- Act East gateway: Myanmar is the only ASEAN country with a land border with India, and it is the bridge between India’s north-east and ASEAN, as in Look East Policy and Its Evolution into Act East Policy.
- Border security: insurgent groups from the north-east have used Myanmar’s territory, and India has cooperated with the army of Myanmar against them. The border is 1,643 km long and touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
- Connectivity: two projects are the pillars of cooperation, described below.
- Energy and resources: Myanmar has natural gas, and Indian companies have stakes in gas blocks.
- Rice, pulses and trade: India imports pulses from Myanmar, and border trade takes place at Moreh-Tamu and Zokhawthar-Rih.
What Are the Connectivity Projects?
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project | Agreed in 2008. It links Kolkata by sea to the port of Sittwe in Rakhine, then by the Kaladan river to Paletwa in Chin State, and then by road to Zorinpui on the Mizoram border. It would give the north-east an outlet that avoids the Siliguri Corridor. The Sittwe port and the river terminal were completed, but the road section has been delayed. In June 2026, when Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing visited New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi pressed him to finish the project, and India aims for it to be operational by 2027 |
| India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway | A road of about 1,400 km planned from Moreh in Manipur through Mandalay to Mae Sot in Thailand. Several sections are incomplete, and an extension to Laos and Cambodia has been proposed |
| Free Movement Regime | Allowed people living near the border to travel up to 16 km into the other country without a visa. India decided in 2024 to end it and to fence the border, to curb illegal movement and smuggling |
| Other cooperation | India has built roads, bridges and training centres, and supplies development aid and capacity-building |
What Are the Political Developments and Challenges?
- Coup and elections: the military took power in February 2021. Elections were held in December 2025 and January 2026, and Min Aung Hlaing became president. India called for a fair and inclusive vote, but analysts described the polls as managed and say they complicate engagement.
- Armed groups: the Arakan Army controls most of Rakhine State and the Paletwa township of Chin State, through which the Kaladan route passes. The projects therefore depend on dealing with local armed groups, and analysts expect them to stay fragile.
- Border spillover: conflict has led to refugees entering Mizoram and Manipur, and arms and drug smuggling is a concern.
- China factor: China has deep investments in Myanmar, including the Kyaukphyu port and pipelines, and competes for influence.
- Engagement approach: India has kept contact with the junta, as shown by the visit of the foreign secretary and the president’s visit in June 2026, while also speaking of democracy and inclusion.
As an analytical point, India follows a pragmatic policy of engaging whoever controls the territory its projects cross, while hoping for an inclusive political outcome. Its test is to complete the Kaladan and Trilateral Highway links, which are valuable only if they connect, and to manage the border so that the north-east is not hurt by instability next door.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Route Kaladan path asked
- Policy Act East gateway
- Security Border and refugees
What Came Next?
The next topic covers Afghanistan, where India has renewed its diplomatic presence. Next topic: India-Afghanistan Relations: Reconstruction Assistance, Chabahar Port Access.
Key People and Terms
- Act East Policy India’s policy to engage South-East Asia
- Sittwe Port in Rakhine State
- Paletwa River port township in Chin State
- Free Movement Regime Visa-free movement within 16 km of border
- Arakan Army Armed group in Rakhine
- Junta Military government
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Kaladan agreement: 2008; route Kolkata-Sittwe-Paletwa-Zorinpui.
- Border length about 1,643 km; four states.
- Free Movement Regime: 16 km; ended in 2024.
- Trilateral Highway: Moreh to Mae Sot.
- Elections held in December 2025 and January 2026.
Do Not Confuse With
- Kaladan and Trilateral Highway River-sea-road project versus road to Thailand
- Sittwe and Kyaukphyu India-developed port versus Chinese-backed port
- Rakhine and Chin Two Myanmar states on the Kaladan route
Memory Hook
Kolkata to Sittwe by sea, Kaladan by boat, Zorinpui by road; the highway runs Moreh to Mae Sot while the army and the Arakan hold the road.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the strategic value and the obstacles. These points add depth.
- Value Bypass the Siliguri Corridor
- Obstacles Conflict and delay
- Policy Pragmatic engagement
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the importance of Myanmar for India’s Act East Policy and the challenges to the Kaladan project.”
How to Answer
- Gateway Land link to ASEAN.
- Projects Kaladan and highway.
- Challenges Politics and armed groups.
- Way forward Engage and complete.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project?
The Kaladan project links Kolkata by sea to Sittwe port in Myanmar, then by the Kaladan river to Paletwa and by road to Zorinpui in Mizoram. It would give India's north-east a route to the sea that avoids the Siliguri Corridor, but road sections remain delayed.
What is the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway?
The Trilateral Highway is a planned road of about 1,400 km from Moreh in Manipur through Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand. It would link India with South-East Asia by land and is part of the Act East Policy, though several sections are unfinished.
Why did India end the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar?
The Free Movement Regime allowed people living within 16 km of the border to cross without a visa. India decided in 2024 to end it and to fence the border, citing concerns over illegal movement, smuggling and insurgents, though border communities with family ties opposed the move.
How have elections in Myanmar affected India?
Myanmar held elections in December 2025 and January 2026, and Min Aung Hlaing became president. India called for fair and inclusive polls, but analysts say the vote was managed, and India continues to engage the government to protect its projects and border security.
Why is the Arakan Army important for India?
The Arakan Army controls most of Rakhine State and Paletwa township, which lie along the Kaladan route. India's connectivity projects therefore depend on stability and on dealing with local armed groups, which creates risks for delivery of the project.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Kaladan project connects Kolkata with Mizoram through Myanmar.
It uses sea, river and road links.
2 Myanmar is the only ASEAN country with a land border with India.
It touches four north-eastern states.
3 The Free Movement Regime allowed visa-free travel up to 16 km across the border.
India decided to end it in 2024.
4 The Trilateral Highway runs from Moreh to Dhaka.
It runs from Moreh to Mae Sot in Thailand.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under India and Its Neighbourhood. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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