Representatives from seven South Asian and southeast Asian nations will discuss setting up a trans-Asian railway link between India and Vietnam, it was reported yesterday.
Officials from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal were to meet in New Delhi on Monday for talks on the link that is planned to pass through Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.
The countries are members of the sub-regional grouping BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand -- Economic Co-operation) which was set up in June 1997, and expanded in 2004 to admit Bhutan and Nepal.
The rail link was first suggested in 1992 by the UN Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific, the Asian Age daily reported.
The 13,000km line was meant eventually to link Hanoi to London. Once the first phase between Vietnam and India was completed, work on the second phase was to link India to Europe via Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, the report said.
However, the proposal was opposed by the interior ministers of BIMST-EC and Association of Southeast Asian Nations who said it would lead to an increase in smuggling and drug trafficking.
The UN said the railway line would promote trade, tourism, foster better relations and reduce conflict in the region.
On July 27, India and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding to revive the rail link between their countries. Indian officials said Myanmar was a bridge between India and southeast Asia, and were also exploring a highway project between India, Myanmar and Thailand.
RSS