LOOKEASE REPORT
Cooperation between India and Myanmar in the railways sector reaches an important landmark.
Myanmar is seen as a crucial partner in the fight to end insurgency in India’s north-east, as a gateway to South-East Asia and a key component of Modi’s new vision for South and South-East Asian regional cooperation. It is also a neighbor that is increasingly being wooed by China.
India and Myanmar have enjoyed close cooperation in the railways sector for a long time. Over the last two decades, the Indian Railways has provided Myanmar with a large quantity of railways rolling stock consisting of 78 locomotives, 56 coaches and 250 wagons along with assorted equipment and machinery.
Close maintenance and rigorous training support has been provided to help build capacity and develop skills.
India and Myanmar have enjoyed close cooperation in the railways sector for a long time. Over the last two decades, the Indian Railways has provided Myanmar with a large quantity of railways rolling stock consisting of 78 locomotives, 56 coaches and 250 wagons along with assorted equipment and machinery
Most of the railway sector supplies, as well as rehabilitation of the Myanmar railways infrastructure, have been carried out under Indian lines of credit amounting to over $200 million.
According to a statement, the visiting Indian Minister of State of Railways, Mr. Rajen Gohain, will hand over the last 18 locomotives being procured under an Indian Line of Credit to, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, U Thant Sin Maung, at a ceremony in Naypyitaw.
From the Indian side, RITES Ltd., a Government of India enterprise, has been a principal partner of Myanmar Railways and is currently involved in the supply of the 18 microprocessor controlled locomotives, which have been manufactured at DLW in Varanasi, India.
According to a statement, today’s ceremony establishes the alliance between the two nations which stands on the relationship of cooperation between the two nations. It will further enhance future prospects of important projects like developing connectivity, upgrading skills and promoting trade and commerce between the two countries. ■
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