The writer here is talking about eurasian connection which to me seems far fetched at the moment.
But CHT-Kunming highway is alone important considering the fact that we can get access to the
vast chinese and Asean market. With increasing in labor cost China and Asean economies will
shift there manufacturing bases to countries like BD and Burma and in this case we will find
burma as a competitor. Thus we will have to take sides here and deepen our relations with
china. Even if burma remains neutral China will always have the most influence over the country
and they can fasten our inclusion to this trans asian highway via burma. Frankly I don't see
any other way rather than wooing china and Burma with efficient diplomacy. Burma will have lots
to gain from this highway:
- Hefty transit fees from BD
-Access to BD market (I am for a BD-burma free trade agreement)
-Investment by BD in Burma's agricultural sector
China will also have lots to gain from this:
- BD being a chinese ally in india's periphery
- The chinese will inevetably built a submarine dockyard in Burma which will have logistical support from BD
-Greater access to BD 160 million market and reduce cost of goods increasing chinese competitiveness vis-vis Indian goods.
- Cheap labor for chinese manufacturing base (textile, light engineering, automotive,steel etc)
which will increase Chinese export competitiveness abroad.
In simple terms NE route that AWami indian dalals are pursuing is a death trap for us. Only
Allah(swt) knows what they will be transporting via this route to NE. We can't allow to be seen as an
obstacle to chinese ambition. After all they were our biggest benefactor since 1975.
- Bangladesh should not give any Myanmar access in addition to NE access for India, until we become a full member of ASEAN, then we will coordinate with ASEAN in this regard
- Pakistan also should not give any road/railway access to India, until Pakistan becomes a full member of Eurasia+ union
@Kalu Bhai BD inclusion into Asean is a far fetched dream so far. We can only dream something
like this when awami dalals are ousted and we have a higher than mountain and deeper than
ocean relationship with Burma. But PAK has already taken steps for joining the SCO and they
are very much welcome there. I think PAK is strategically and diplomatically in a stronger position
than us and can afford to give India transit which we can not.