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India ,Myanmar

India has secured the rights to operate its second overseas port, Sittwe in Myanmar, following the Chabahar Port in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved a proposal for India Ports Global (IPGL) to take over the operations of the entire port located on the Kaladan River. IPGL, a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Deendayal Port Trust (Erstwhile Kandla Port Trust), was created and incorporated in January 2015 under the Companies Act, 2013, as per the directions of the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), with the aim of developing ports overseas.

Presently, the Ministry of Shipping has assigned IPGL the task of equipping and operating container/multi-purpose terminals at Chabahar Port in Iran. The Sittwe Port is an integral part of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, which seeks to connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea. Additionally, it aims to link Sittwe Port to Paletwa in Myanmar via the Kaladan river waterway and further connect Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.

This development holds immense significance as it offers an alternative route for shipping goods to the northeastern states of India. Moreover, it substantially reduces the cost and distance from Kolkata to Mizoram and beyond. Furthermore, it diminishes dependency on the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the chicken’s neck, which is squeezed between Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The Sittwe Port, located in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, serves as a maritime gateway, enhancing trade and connectivity between India and Myanmar. Last year in May, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister Admiral Tin Aung San jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port and welcomed the first Indian cargo ship.

IPGL, a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, is tasked with the responsibility of operating the Sittwe Port. With the approval from the MEA, IPGL is poised to take over the operations of the entire port situated on the Kaladan River.

The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, of which Sittwe Port is a crucial component, aims to facilitate smoother connectivity and trade between India and Myanmar. This project has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a multimodal transit transport facility on the Kaladan River.

In summary, the acquisition of rights to operate Sittwe Port marks a significant milestone for India in bolstering its connectivity with Myanmar and enhancing trade relations in the region. It underscores India's commitment to developing strategic infrastructure projects that promote economic growth and regional cooperation.