What is Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)?

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)?
• What is Act East Policy?
• News Summary: Peace and prosperity in Mekong region play pivotal role in India’s Act East policy: Jaishankar
• Key highlights of the speech delivered by EAM

 

Why in news?

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 12^th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting in Bangkok along with his Laos counterpart.
• While addressing the summit, EAM said that peace and prosperity in the Mekong region play a pivotal role in realising India’s vision for security and growth for all countries in the region under its Act East policy.

 

What is Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)?

• About
  • MGC is an initiative by six countries for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.
  • It was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR.
  • Both the Ganga and the Mekong are civilizational rivers, and the MGC initiative aims to facilitate closer contacts among the people inhabiting these two major river basins. 
  • The MGC is also indicative of the cultural and commercial linkages among the member countries of the MGC down the centuries.
  • The MGC meetings are co-chaired alternatively every year between India and one of the 5 Mekong countries.
• Members
  • India and five ASEAN countries — Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Objectives
  • Promoting economic cooperation and trade among member countries, 
  • Enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and 
  • Fostering dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest
• Areas of cooperation
  • The four foundational areas of cooperation under MGC include tourism, culture, education, and transport & communication. 
  • It has further expanded to include new areas like health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied sectors, small and medium enterprises, water resources management, science and technology, skill development, and capacity building.

 

What is Act East Policy?

• About
  • India’s ‘Act East’ policy is a diplomatic initiative which seeks to enhance India's engagement with the countries of East Asia, particularly the ASEAN member states. 
    • Basically, it aims to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels.
  • The policy was launched in 2014 by the PM Modi, as a continuation and upgrade of the earlier Look East Policy (LEP).
    • LEP was launched by former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. 
    • The main focus of this policy was to shift the country's economic focus from the west and neighbours to the booming South East Asian countries.
• Differences between LEP and Act East Policy
  • LEP
    • Focus was to increase economic integration with the South East Asian countries.
    • Focus area was limited to South East Asia only.
  • Act East Policy
    • It seeks to deepen and diversify engagements through greater connectivity, trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
    • It focusses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Objective
  • To promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
  • To increase the interaction of the North-Eastern Indian states with other neighbouring countries.
    • This will be done by providing enhanced connectivity to the States of North Eastern Region including Arunanchal Pradesh with other countries in our neighbourhood.
    • The North East of India has been a priority in Act East Policy (AEP).
  • To curb the increasing impact of China in the ASEAN region.
• Major projects under this policy
  • Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project, Border Haats and Rhi-Tiddim Road Project, etc.

 

News Summary: Peace and prosperity in Mekong region play pivotal role in India’s Act East policy: Jaishankar

Key highlights of the speech delivered by EAM

• Highlighted importance of MGC
  • The lower Mekong region holds immense significance for India both in a historic sense and a contemporary one.
  • MGC holds a special place in this region as the oldest sub-regional cooperation rooted in the rich historical, geographical and cultural ties among our six member countries.
• Highlighted India’s efforts in the region
  • India is steadfast in its dedication to enhancing comprehensive connectivity within the region.
  • He underlined various flagship projects undertaken by India. This included - MGC scholarships, the Centre for Excellence in Software Development training and the MGC traditional textile museum.
• Connectivity initiatives
  • He stressed the importance of expediting projects that have faced challenges in the recent past, especially the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.
    • India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on about 1,400-km-long highway that would link the country with Southeast Asia by land.
    • It would give a boost to trade, business, health, education and tourism ties among the three countries.
    • Around 70% of construction work on the ambitious trilateral highway has been completed.
    • The strategic highway project, which will connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, has been delayed because of the situation in Myanmar.

 

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Q1) What is Look East Policy?

The Look East Policy is a foreign policy initiative that was originally launched by India in the early 1990s. The policy aimed to enhance India's economic and strategic relations with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia. The term "Look East" was coined to signify India's intention to shift its focus from its traditional partners in the West to the dynamic economies of East Asia. The Look East Policy has evolved over time and has been instrumental in strengthening India's engagement with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and China. The policy encompasses various areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, technology transfers, defense and security, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic ties.

 

Q2) What is Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project?

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a significant infrastructure project undertaken by India in collaboration with Myanmar (Burma). The project aims to establish a multi-modal transportation corridor that connects the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata (Calcutta) to the western Myanmar seaport of Sittwe (Akyab), passing through Mizoram state in Northeast India. The Kaladan project seeks to provide a direct sea route for India's northeastern states, which are currently dependent on the narrow Siliguri Corridor, also known as the "Chicken's Neck," for access to the rest of India. By establishing a more efficient transportation link through Myanmar, India aims to reduce transportation costs, improve connectivity, and promote economic development in its northeastern region.

 

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Source: Peace and prosperity in Mekong region play pivotal role in India’s Act East policy: Jaishankar | PIB | MEA | Mekong-Ganga Cooperation