Indian Consul General welcomes international border opening

11 August 2018
Indian Consul General welcomes international border opening

The Consul General of India in Mandalay Mr. Nandan Singh Bhaisora has welcomed the opening of an international border at Tamu which will improve communications between northeast India and Myanmar and improve the relations between the two countries.

Speaking on 8 August at the opening Opening Ceremony of the International Border between Myanmar & India at Tamu, the Consul General said the opening of the border crossing would strengthen relations between the two countries.

Addressing those gathered who included Aye Lwin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population  Government of the  Republic of Myanmar,  Dr. Suhel Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary , Govt. of Manipur, members of the Indian Delegation, Myint Thin Aung, District Commissioner, Tamu,  and other guests, he said they were very fortunate to witness the opening ceremony of this great event, the opening of land border between Myanmar and India.

“As you are aware that it was on 11th of May this year the Agreement on Land Border Crossing was signed between our two countries at Nay Pyi Taw during the visit of our External Affairs Minister. It was a landmark in our bilateral relations. Exactly after 90 days, today is a historical day when both the land border points – Tamu -Moreh here and also Rihkhawadar (Chin state) & Zowkhawthar (Mizoram ) is being opened.   The people from both our countries, particularly those living on both sides of the border as well as in Mandalay and Imphal have been waiting for this to happen for the last so many years, this was long overdue,” Mr. Nandan Singh Bhaisora said.

As he noted, the people from both countries as well as a third country, holding a valid passport and visa/ E-visa can cross the land border. People can travel within the entire country and also can stay for the duration as specified in the visa.

Also there is a provision in the Agreement for Border Pass for the people living within border area to travel within 16 Kms of the border on both sides, he added.

“This is certainly going to further strengthen our relations and also it will enable the people from both countries to cross the land border, including for accessing health and the education services. Surely, this is going to enhance the border trade, economic activity, tourism, medical tourism, pilgrimage tourism, adventure tourism, caravan tours, cultural exchange, people to people movement and social and economic interaction. Also this will not only create jobs and change the life of the people for betterment in these regions but will also bring socio- economic development in both the countries,” he said at the ceremony.

“We are already in the process of improving the road connectivity by undertaking two large pojects here – one is renovation of 69 bridges between Tamu and Kalay  and an upgradation of the road between Kalewa and Yargyi. The work is in progress and is likely to be completed by 2020,” the consul general said.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate all those from Myanmar as well as India side who have been working hard for this day. This is a giant step in our bilateral relations and the Act East Policy where Myanmar has been playing a  key role  – as a bridge between India and ASEAN . Also on this occasion we wish all the best to the 40-45 people from Mandalay crossing the border today in different groups to Manipur for business, tourism, medical treatment and people to people movement,” he added.

The opening of the border entry posts will facilitate the travel of passport holders with valid passports and valid visas from both countries and they can pass the border from these two border entry ports.

Myanmar people who have a valid passport, valid visa issued by the Indian embassy in Myanmar or E-Visa can travel to India, and Indian nationals and foreign nationals who have a valid passport and a valid visa or E-visa issued by Myanmar embassies in the country concerned can travel to Myanmar through these two new border entry ports on the India-Myanmar border.