India wants to help Myanmar build a strong physical infrastructure for growth focused on creating public assets for the country rather than commercial assets for its own business according to Indian Ambassador Vikram Misri. “We do not want to do what some other countries are doing. We want to create public assets for Myanmar to use, not commercial infrastructure to primarily promote our business,” he said.
“Most of the development projects supported by India are financed by grants and some by concessional Line of Credit. “But the idea is not to create for Myanmar a financially unsustainable debt burden, our projects are to help Myanmar`s economy bloom,” he added. The ambassador said the first two phases of the Kaladan Multi Modal project were ready, the port and inland waterways infrastructure. “Work will soon start on the 109-km road connecting Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui on Myanmar’s border with Mizoram state in northeast India. The construction is expected to start after the monsoon in October. The ambassador said India was offering and would offer more support to Myanmar during its transition to democracy “as we have the most relevant experiences to offer in nation-building, federalism, democratic participation and so much more.” “But we do not want to push any agenda in Myanmar, as some nations want, we do not want to lecture Myanmar on what they should do but just offer and let them make the choice. At the end of the day, the Myanmar government and people have to decide what is best for them.” “We may not offer Myanmar the glitziest of gadgets or the flashiest of lifestyle products but we will offer something that is relevant for Myanmar. That is because we share the same existential experience,” he said. “We want transport corridors to be converted into growth corridors and that is possible when you have arrangements for easy movement, liberal customs regime and that kind of thing,” Misri said, adding that India wanted “a cascading impact on local economy to come from the new physical infrastructure created”. Misri said India would open up its higher education sector, including specialized areas like Infotech, banking, finance with more scholarships.