China’s New Sea Road Rail Link via Myanmar
Recently China has started the first road rail transport link to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar. This transport corridor comprises a sea-road-rail link. Through this route, China is now connected to Singapore via Myanmar.
This is the easiest way to connect Southwest China to the Indian Ocean.
Issues of concern before India:
- China’s direct access to the Bay of Bengal is a major threat to India; Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also on the same path as China wants to trade with Southeast Asian countries.
- The Indian Ocean is important for ocean communication to various Asian countries, as it is both an energy and trade corridor.
- Additionally, China’s current move is being seen as part of China’s ‘String of Pearls’ policy to encircle India.
- Chinese ships can pass through the Bay of Bengal on a large scale. With this they can easily monitor the Indian islands.
- This can also increase insurgency in North-East India.
- In this sequence, Japan has made renewed efforts to increase its military budget to balance China. Over the past year, Japan has identified China as its major national security threat.
Source – The Hindu
