India lags behind in implementing connectivity projects with ASEAN

NEW DELHI (Xinhua) - India has extended the deadline for its connectivity projects with Myanmar and Thailand up to 2019, delaying the building of two transport projects linking India's northeast state Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar, said the Times of India Sunday.

This could affect negatively the implementation of Delhi's "Act East" policy aimed at increasing economic and trade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the newspaper.

Both of Kaladan multi-modal transport project and the trilateral highway with Myanmar and Thailand are under the responsibility of the Ministry of External Affairs. The first is to build or upgrade some 70 bridges on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa road section and upgrade Kalewa-Yargyi stretch.

On the trilateral highway, Thailand has completed its part and Myanmar is also making progress in the field along the 132 km line, while the 30 km road project in India remains to be done yet.

Budget shortage and lack of coordination among various ministries are blamed for the failure of delivery on the Indian side, said the report.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renamed India's "Look East" policy to "Act East" to highlight engagement with ASEAN countries.