India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said that peace and prosperity in the Mekong region play a pivotal role in realising India’s vision for security and growth for all countries in the region under its Act East policy.
In his opening remarks at the 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism meeting, the EAM said the lower Mekong region holds immense significance for India both in a historic sense and a contemporary one.
“We represent the ancient river civilizations of this continent,” he said.
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The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries — India and five ASEAN countries — Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam — for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.
“Peace and prosperity in the region also play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s vision of security and growth for all in the region under India’s Act East policy,” he said.
“The Mekong Ganga Cooperation holds a special place in this region as the oldest sub-regional cooperation rooted in the rich historical, geographical and cultural ties among our six member countries,” Mr. Jaishankar said.
Collective aspirations
“It epitomises our commitment to build upon a rich heritage and channel our collective aspirations into tangible actions that will positively impact the lives of our citizens,” he said.
India, he said, is also steadfast in its dedication to enhancing comprehensive connectivity within the region.
“Our commitment extends beyond the talks. It is grounded in action,” Jaishankar said, underling various flagship projects like the MGC, MGC scholarships, the Centre for Excellence in Software Development training and the MGC traditional textile museum.
These projects, the minister said, “bear testament to our commitment for on-ground implementation”.
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India has also welcomed the initiative of the countries of the Mekong sub-region to synergise various developmental initiatives in the region, he said.
Through a collaborative effort, “we aim to fulfil the contemporary aspirations of our people, fostering an environment of growth stability and shared opportunities,” Mr. Jaishankar added.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on July 16 met his Myanmar counterpart Than Swe and discussed expediting projects, especially the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, and underlined the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the border areas.
Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived in Bangkok from Indonesia on Saturday on an official visit, met the Myanmar Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism meeting.
“Our discussions focused on connectivity initiatives that have a larger regional significance. These will also be discussed at the MGC meeting this afternoon. Stressed the importance of expediting projects that have faced challenges in the recent past, especially the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a tweet.
On Saturday, Mr. Jaishankar said that the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway had been a "very difficult project" because of the situation in Myanmar and that it was the government's priority to find ways to resume it.
India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on about 1,400-km-long highway that would link the country with Southeast Asia by land and give a boost to trade, business, health, education and tourism ties among the three countries.
Around 70% of construction work on the ambitious trilateral highway has been completed.
The strategic highway project, which will connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, has been delayed.
Earlier, the government was aiming to make the highway operational by December 2019.
During his talks with Than Swe, Mr. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the border areas, saying these have been “seriously disturbed recently and any actions that aggravate the situation should be avoided”.
“Flagged concerns about human and drug trafficking. Urged stronger cooperation among relevant parties for the early return of trafficked victims,” he said.
As an immediate neighbour, India is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, the Minister said.
He proposed people-centric initiatives aimed to address the pressing challenges.
“India supports the democratic transition process in Myanmar and highlights the need for return of peace and stability. We will closely coordinate our policy with ASEAN in this regard,” Mr. Jaishankar added.
In Bangkok, Mr. Jaishankar will participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Mechanism and attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.
