Trilateral h'way of India, Myanmar, Thailand by 2015-16

India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said on June 6 that the proposed trilateral highway covering India, Myanmar and Thailand is expected to be operational by 2015-16. Leading a business delegation, Sharma was in Naypyitaw to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2013.

He said that India is working closely with Myanmar and Thailand to develop the trilateral highway. The highway should be fully operational by 2015-2016, Sharma said during a session - The Long-Term View. The idea of the highway - from Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand, via Myanmar - was conceived at the trilateral ministerial meeting on transport linkages in Yangon, Myanmar in April 2002.

Sharma said that the highway represents the most significant step in the establishment of connectivity between India and South East Asian countries. It was visualised as a highway of opportunity and friendship that would facilitate not just the movement of goods and services but also of people and ideas.