To tackle insurgency in NE
- as a large no. of cross-border ethnic grps from NE have military bases in Myanmar
- ISCN-K
- ISCN-IM
Act-East Policy
- geo-strategic location
- at trijunction ➡️ east, SE, & south Asia
- only ASEAN country to share border
- buffer state b/w India & China
- crucial link to:
- Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor
- IMT Trilateral Highway
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport
Energy Security
- abundant oil & natural gas reserves
- ONGC Videsh & GAIL ➡️ aggressively scouting for more exploratory blocks
Trade & Investment opportunities
- to create bigger presence for engineering exports
- India as significant investor mostly oil & gas
Economic development of NE
- India NE region with Myanmar & ASEAN
- Regional cooperation
Cultural Ties
- Buddhism ➡️ majoritarian religion in Myanmar
Controlling Illegal Migration
- political and economic stability in Myanmar is needed
Countering China
- India developing Sittwe port in Rakhine state
- to counter Chinese fronted Kyaukpyu port
TidBits for Prelims
- Military exercise ➡️ IMBEX
- operation Sunrise
- tackled militant grps jointly