GUWAHATI, March 23 - The Government of India is not engaged at present in any discussions with Myanmar and China on reopening of the Stilwell Road, said Union Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retired) VK Singh today. The Union Minister was replying to a question from Ranee Narah on the floor of the Rajya Sabha.
However, the Minister said the governments of India, Myanmar and Thailand have agreed to cooperate in the construction of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway and under the project, the Government of India has undertaken construction of 69 bridges. The Government of India has also taken up construction of the approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa section and construction/upgradation of the road on the Kalewa-Yargi section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar.
Gen Singh also informed the Rajya Sabha in reply to the same question that the governments of Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) have agreed to establish a joint study group (JSG) on strengthening connectivity in the BCIM region for closer economic trade and people-to-people linkages through development of a BCIM Economic Corridor. Two meetings of the JSG have taken place so far and the joint study is under way.
He further informed the Rajya Sabha that India is a party to the Intergovernmental Agreement on Asian Highway Network, which was adopted in November 2003 and ratified by India in May 2006. The Asian Highway (AH-1) is part of this network, the Minister said.
