APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (20/09/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (20-09-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ APSC CCE Online Coaching, 2026
🌏 Act East Policy & Myanmar Turmoil – Impact on Northeast Connectivity
📘 GS Paper II – International Relations (India & Neighbourhood, Act East Policy)
📘 GS Paper III – Infrastructure, Trade, Security
📘 GS Paper V – Assam & Northeast Development
🔹 Introduction
The Act East Policy (AEP) is India’s flagship initiative to integrate the Northeast with Southeast Asia through infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people links. However, the ongoing political turmoil and insurgency in Myanmar since the 2021 coup has stalled major connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project and the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, directly affecting Assam and the Northeast’s integration with ASEAN.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Strategic Role of Myanmar | Only ASEAN country sharing land border with India (1,643 km with NE). |
| Kaladan Project | Connects Sittwe Port (Myanmar) → Paletwa (river) → Zorinpui (Mizoram). Progress slowed due to conflict. |
| Trilateral Highway | Moreh (Manipur) – Mandalay (Myanmar) – Mae Sot (Thailand). Construction delays due to instability. |
| Impact on Assam | Trade routes via Barak Valley & Guwahati face bottlenecks; Assam’s gateway role undermined. |
| Security Dimension | Militants using porous borders; drug & arms trafficking on rise. |
| Economic Consequence | Delayed trade integration with ASEAN; lost investment & export opportunities for Assam (tea, oil, bamboo, handloom). |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Look East → Act East Policy (2014) – Shift from economic engagement to strategic partnership with ASEAN.
North East Economic Corridor (NEEC) – Envisioned to link NE with East–West Economic Corridor of ASEAN.
Border Trade Points – Moreh (Manipur) & Zokhawthar (Mizoram).
India–ASEAN Trade (2024) – ~$131 billion. NE contributes marginally due to weak connectivity.
ASEAN–India FTA (2010) – Covers trade in goods & services.
BIMSTEC – Another regional grouping where NE plays crucial role.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) – Key agency building roads along Indo-Myanmar border.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance for Northeast & Assam
Gateway Role – Assam serves as the logistical hub for AEP.
Economic Upliftment – Boosts exports of tea, horticulture, bamboo, and handloom.
Tourism Potential – Cross-border Buddhist circuits and eco-tourism.
Strategic Leverage – Counters China’s BRI influence in Myanmar.
Employment Generation – Infrastructure and logistics hubs create jobs for NE youth.
B. Challenges due to Myanmar Turmoil
Security Concerns – Refugee influx, drug & arms smuggling across porous border.
Insurgency Linkages – Myanmar soil used as safe haven for NE insurgent groups.
Project Delays – Kaladan and Trilateral Highway delayed >5 years.
Logistics Bottlenecks – Assam’s exports face longer dependence on Siliguri Corridor.
Chinese Influence – China investing heavily in Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu Port & road networks.
Local Resistance – Displacement & ecological damage concerns in project areas.
C. Government Initiatives in Context
Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project (Mizoram link via Myanmar’s Sittwe port).
India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (planned extension to Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam).
Act East Infrastructure Projects – Border haats, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Moreh & Zokhawthar.
ASDMA & Security Forces – Strengthened surveillance on border infiltration.
Act East Industrial Corridor (proposed) – Guwahati–Silchar–Imphal–Moreh axis.
D. Way Forward
Diversify Connectivity – Use Bangladesh riverine & road routes (via Dhubri, Karimganj) to reduce Myanmar dependence.
Security Cooperation – Enhance joint patrols & intelligence sharing with Myanmar and ASEAN states.
Accelerate Infrastructure – Prioritise completion of Kaladan & Trilateral Highway in secure zones.
Local Engagement – Community participation to prevent insurgent exploitation.
Multilateral Approach – Use BIMSTEC, ASEAN forums to sustain projects despite Myanmar instability.
Assam’s Role – Develop Guwahati & Silchar as logistic hubs for AEP, integrating with inland waterways.
🧩 Conclusion
The Myanmar turmoil has become a stumbling block for India’s Act East Policy, directly affecting Assam and the Northeast’s integration with Southeast Asia. While the crisis underscores India’s dependence on Myanmar, it also highlights the need for diversified connectivity via Bangladesh, stronger regional diplomacy, and resilient infrastructure. Assam, as the natural gateway to Southeast Asia, will remain central to this strategy.
🗳️ Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) General Election 2025 – Governance & Significance
📘 GS Paper II – Polity, Governance, Elections
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Autonomous Councils, Bodo Politics
🔹 Introduction
The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (2003 Bodo Accord), governs the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam. The BTC General Election 2025 is being prepared under the Election Commission of Assam with focus on free and fair polls, security, and inclusive participation. The election is significant for BTR’s governance, peace, and developmental trajectory following the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| BTC Structure | 46 elected seats + 4 nominated by Assam Governor = 50-member council. |
| Region Covered | 4 districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri. |
| Background | Formed in 2003 after Bodo Accord between Govt of India, Assam, and Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT). |
| Significance of 2025 Polls | First full election after 2020 Accord which expanded BTR, provided socio-political safeguards. |
| Poll Preparedness | Security deployment, EVMs, awareness for women/tribal voters. |
| Key Issues | Development (roads, education, healthcare), land rights, ethnic harmony, insurgency rehabilitation, youth employment. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Sixth Schedule Areas in Assam: BTC, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council.
2003 Bodo Accord: Creation of BTC; recognition of Bodo language in Devanagari script.
2020 Bodo Accord: Expanded BTC powers, rehabilitation of NDFB cadres, more development funds.
Sixth Schedule: Autonomous councils for certain tribal areas of NE India (Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura).
Bodo Territorial Region (BTR): Formed by restructuring BTC area, more rights for Bodo people.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of BTC Elections
Peace & Stability – Institutionalises Bodo aspirations within democratic framework.
Developmental Governance – BTC controls education, agriculture, rural development, cultural affairs.
Ethnic Harmony – Election process involves Bodo & non-Bodo communities, crucial for peace.
Youth Empowerment – Key for addressing unemployment, insurgency legacy.
Democratic Deepening – Strengthens local self-governance in tribal areas.
B. Challenges in Governance
Ethnic Tensions – Historical Bodo–non-Bodo clashes still influence politics.
Corruption & Mismanagement – Allegations of poor utilisation of BTC funds.
Limited Administrative Capacity – Dependence on Assam Govt for major policy implementation.
Insurgency Legacy – Rehabilitation of ex-militants remains incomplete.
Inclusive Development – Non-Bodo communities often allege marginalisation.
C. Government Initiatives in Context
2020 Bodo Accord – ₹1,500 crore economic package for BTR.
Special Development Council (SDC) – Focus on preservation of Bodo culture & identity.
BTC Development Funds – Annual grants from Assam & Centre for infrastructure and welfare.
Skill Development Schemes – For ex-militants and youth of BTR.
Peace Monitoring Committees – Ensure Accord implementation.
D. Way Forward
Fair Elections – Ensure security, transparency, high voter turnout.
Inclusive Representation – Address grievances of non-Bodo communities.
Capacity Building – Strengthen BTC administration & financial management.
Peace Consolidation – Ensure rehabilitation and socio-economic integration of ex-militants.
Economic Diversification – Promote agro-based industries, eco-tourism, bamboo & handloom sectors.
Coordination with Assam Govt – Align BTC policies with state and national development agendas.
🧩 Conclusion
The BTC General Election 2025 is more than a local poll—it is a test of peace, governance, and inclusivity in Assam’s tribal heartland. If conducted fairly and linked with development-oriented governance, it can consolidate peace and empower the Bodo community, while also ensuring equity for non-Bodo groups, strengthening Assam’s stability and the broader success of India’s Sixth Schedule framework.
🚢 ICG Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Adamya’ – Bay of Bengal Security & Northeast Relevance
📘 GS Paper III – Security, Maritime Security, Disaster Management
📘 GS Paper II – Neighbourhood Relations (India–Bangladesh maritime cooperation)
📘 GS Paper V – Assam & Northeast Connectivity via Bay of Bengal
🔹 Introduction
On 20 Sept 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned its latest Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ‘Adamya’ on the Odisha coast. While stationed along the eastern seaboard, the vessel enhances India’s maritime security in the Bay of Bengal, which is vital for the Northeast’s access to the sea through riverine and port connectivity projects under the Act East Policy.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Vessel Type | Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) – high-speed, versatile ship. |
| Role | Coastal surveillance, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, SAR (Search & Rescue). |
| Commissioned | Sept 2025, Odisha coast. |
| Bay of Bengal Relevance | Critical maritime zone for NE connectivity via Bangladesh’s ports (Chattogram, Mongla). |
| Strategic Value | Counters piracy, smuggling, IUU fishing, and enhances India’s maritime domain awareness. |
| Northeast Link | Assam & Tripura’s trade to global markets increasingly depends on Bay of Bengal access. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Maritime law enforcement agency under Ministry of Defence; est. 1977.
Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs): Used for surveillance, interception, search & rescue; built by Goa Shipyard Ltd & GRSE.
SAGAR Vision (2015): Security and Growth for All in the Region – India’s maritime strategy.
Chattogram & Mongla Ports (Bangladesh): Opened for Indian NE cargo in 2020.
Protocol on Inland Waterways (PIWTT): Facilitates NE–Bangladesh riverine cargo movement.
Bay of Bengal: Largest bay in the world; strategic for BIMSTEC, Indo-Pacific, and NE connectivity.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of ‘Adamya’ for Bay of Bengal & NE
Maritime Security – Strengthens surveillance against illegal fishing, piracy, and trafficking.
Disaster Preparedness – Assists during cyclones, oil spills, and maritime accidents.
NE Trade Corridor Security – Ensures safe passage of Assam/Tripura exports via Bay of Bengal ports.
Diplomatic Leverage – Supports India’s cooperation with Bangladesh & Myanmar in maritime safety.
Act East Integration – Secures sea routes linking NE to ASEAN markets.
B. Challenges in Bay of Bengal Security
Grey-Zone Threats – Smuggling of drugs, arms, and human trafficking.
China’s Presence – Strategic investments in Kyaukphyu (Myanmar) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka).
Natural Disasters – Frequent cyclones affecting coastal trade routes.
Limited ICG Resources – Insufficient ships for India’s 7,500 km coastline.
Coordination Issues – Multiple agencies (Navy, ICG, Customs, Port Authorities).
C. Government Initiatives in Context
Coastal Security Scheme (2005) – Strengthening coastal police, surveillance.
Sagarmala Project – Port-led development with links to NE.
BIMSTEC Security Cooperation – Maritime patrols, information sharing.
Act East Policy Projects – Enhancing Bay of Bengal as gateway for NE states.
Digital Surveillance – Coastal radar network, AIS (Automatic Identification System) integration.
D. Way Forward
Expand ICG Fleet – More FPVs, Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for eastern seaboard.
NE Integration – Dedicated logistics hubs in Assam/Tripura linked to Bay ports.
Joint Patrols – Enhance Indo-Bangladesh & Indo-Myanmar maritime security cooperation.
Disaster-Resilient Ports – Cyclone-proof infrastructure in Bay of Bengal.
Community-Based Coastal Security – Fisherfolk as “eyes and ears” of surveillance.
Link ICG with Act East – Align patrols with safeguarding cargo from Assam/Bengal–Bangladesh routes.
🧩 Conclusion
The commissioning of ICG’s Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Adamya’ is more than a maritime upgrade—it directly strengthens the security of Northeast India’s sea connectivity under the Act East Policy. Ensuring maritime safety in the Bay of Bengal is essential for Assam and the NE’s economic integration with global markets, disaster resilience, and India’s strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific.
🏥 ‘Sushrusha Setu’ Mega Health Camp in Barak Valley – Inclusive Healthcare Push
📘 GS Paper II – Health, Governance, Welfare Schemes
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Public Health & Regional Development
🔹 Introduction
The Assam Government has launched the ‘Sushrusha Setu’ Mega Health Camp in the Barak Valley region, aiming to strengthen last-mile delivery of healthcare services. The initiative is significant because Barak Valley (Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi) has historically faced infrastructure gaps, shortage of specialists, and high disease burden. The camp focuses on screening, treatment, and awareness, especially for maternal & child health, NCDs, and lifestyle diseases.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Event | ‘Sushrusha Setu’ Mega Health Camp, Sept 2025. |
| Location | Barak Valley – Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi districts. |
| Focus Areas | Maternal & Child health, Non-Communicable Diseases (diabetes, hypertension), TB, cancer screening, women’s health. |
| Services Provided | Free consultations, diagnostics, referral linkages to medical colleges, awareness drives. |
| Stakeholders | Assam Health Dept, NHM-Assam, local medical colleges, NGOs. |
| Target Group | Rural poor, tea-garden workers, women & children, elderly. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Barak Valley – Comprises 3 districts in southern Assam; linguistically distinct (Bengali-speaking majority).
NHM (National Health Mission) – Umbrella scheme for rural & urban healthcare strengthening.
Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY insurance + Health & Wellness Centres for primary care.
NCD Burden in Assam – Hypertension prevalence ~30%, diabetes ~12% (NFHS-5).
Maternal Health – Assam has one of India’s highest MMR (195 per lakh live births, SRS 2022).
TB Elimination Target – 2025 (India’s goal, 5 years ahead of global target).
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Initiative
Bridging Gaps – Barak Valley often lags behind Brahmaputra Valley in healthcare infra.
Maternal & Child Health – Tackling Assam’s high MMR & IMR.
NCDs & Lifestyle Diseases – Rising burden in urban & rural areas.
Accessibility – Healthcare outreach to remote tea garden & border areas.
Community Awareness – Encourages preventive healthcare and screening.
B. Challenges
Doctor Shortage – Assam’s doctor-population ratio below national average.
Infrastructure Gaps – Few tertiary hospitals in Barak Valley; referrals burden Guwahati.
Socio-economic Barriers – Poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality affect health outcomes.
Cross-Border Disease Risk – Valley borders Bangladesh; TB & malaria cross-border threats.
Sustainability – Camps are one-time; need long-term systemic strengthening.
C. Government & Policy Framework
Assam Health Policy 2021 – Focus on universal access & reduction in maternal/child mortality.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) – Digital health records & telemedicine expansion.
Tea Garden Health Initiatives – Mobile medical units & special insurance coverage.
SDG-3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) – Aligns with UN goals of universal healthcare.
Jan Andolan for TB Elimination – Community-led approach.
D. Way Forward
Regular Health Camps – Institutionalise as quarterly events, not one-time drives.
Strengthen Medical Colleges – Upgrade Silchar Medical College & expand new facilities.
Mobile Clinics & Telemedicine – Use digital platforms to bridge distance barriers.
Community Participation – Train ASHAs & local volunteers for follow-up care.
Cross-sectoral Integration – Nutrition, sanitation, and livelihood schemes integrated with health.
Special Focus on Women & Children – Target anaemia, malnutrition, adolescent health.
🧩 Conclusion
The ‘Sushrusha Setu’ Mega Health Camp is a welcome initiative in Barak Valley’s underserved healthcare landscape. However, true transformation will require systemic reforms, sustainable infrastructure, and local empowerment. By bridging healthcare inequities, Assam can move closer to its goal of equitable and inclusive health for all citizens.
🌾 Assam–Meghalaya Border Tension over Paddy Harvesting
📘 GS Paper II – Centre–State Relations, Inter-State Issues, Governance
📘 GS Paper III – Internal Security (Law & Order, Ethnic Conflicts)
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-Specific: Border Issues with Neighbouring States
🔹 Introduction
Despite recent attempts at resolution, border tensions between Assam and Meghalaya have resurfaced in Sept 2025 over paddy harvesting rights in disputed villages. Farmers reported clashes involving stone pelting and use of ball bearings, reviving concerns about the fragile peace along the 12 disputed sectors of the 885 km Assam–Meghalaya boundary.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Disputed Area | 12 sectors along Assam–Meghalaya border (esp. West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills). |
| Latest Incident | Tension during paddy harvesting; villagers from both sides involved in clashes. |
| Historical Background | Dispute dates back to Meghalaya’s creation in 1972; boundary demarcation disagreements. |
| Recent Efforts | 2022 agreement settled 6 of 12 sectors; 6 remain unresolved. |
| Law & Order | Assam Police & Meghalaya Police deployed; CRPF often used as neutral force. |
| Impact on Farmers | Livelihood insecurity, crop destruction, fear of conflict. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Assam–Meghalaya Border Length: ~885 km.
Disputed Sectors: 12 originally; includes Langpih, Gizang, Borduar, Hahim, Psiar–Khanduli, Ratacherra.
2022 Agreement: First phase resolved 6 areas (Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara–Pilingkata, Ratacherra).
Neutral Force: CRPF deployed as per Union Home Ministry orders.
Border Council Concept: Proposed mechanism for dispute resolution & joint development.
Other Assam Border Disputes: With Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Border Peace for Assam & Meghalaya
Livelihood Security – Agriculture & trade in border villages depend on stability.
Inter-Ethnic Harmony – Avoids clashes between tribal & non-tribal communities.
Development Projects – Roads, schools, and health infra suffer in disputed areas.
National Security – Law & order disruptions create vulnerabilities for infiltration & trafficking.
B. Challenges
Historical Legacy – Unclear demarcation during Meghalaya’s separation in 1972.
Ethnic Assertion – Competing claims based on ethnicity, land rights, and customary law.
Economic Dependence – Villagers contest fertile lands and forest resources.
Weak Implementation – 2022 pact progress uneven; joint committees lack enforcement powers.
Frequent Violence – Clashes recur during farming or resource use (timber, coal).
C. Government Initiatives
2022 Assam–Meghalaya Pact – Settled 6 sectors; hailed as model for NE border disputes.
Joint Regional Committees – Tasked with ground verification & consensus-building.
CRPF Deployment – Acts as neutral force in disputed pockets.
MHA Mediation – Union Home Ministry encourages phased resolution.
Development Push – PM-DevINE, DoNER projects aimed at shared development in border areas.
D. Way Forward
Complete Demarcation – Second-phase negotiations must resolve remaining 6 sectors.
Joint Farming Models – Allow shared land use until disputes fully settled.
People-Centric Dialogue – Involve village councils, traditional chiefs, and women’s groups.
Neutral Mediation – Third-party monitoring (e.g., NE Council or MHA-appointed commission).
Development First Approach – Implement common infrastructure in disputed belts.
Rule of Law Enforcement – Strict action against armed violence, ball-bearing attacks, illegal encroachment.
🧩 Conclusion
The paddy harvesting clash in Sept 2025 underlines the fragile peace in Assam–Meghalaya border areas, where livelihood and identity intersect with political disputes. A sustained, inclusive, and development-oriented resolution framework, combined with firm law enforcement, is essential to secure long-term peace and stability for both states.move towards a JE-free status, ensuring both health security and socio-economic resilience.h livelihood and ecological concerns will be key to making the border a zone of peace and prosperity.th ecological sustainability will be the true test of success.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Act East Policy & Myanmar Turmoil
With reference to India’s Act East Policy, consider the following statements:
- The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project connects India’s Northeast with Myanmar through Mizoram.
- The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is designed to link Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand.
- The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has no connection with Myanmar.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct – Kaladan project links Sittwe Port → Paletwa → Zorinpui (Mizoram).
- Statement 2: Correct – Trilateral Highway = Moreh–Mandalay–Mae Sot.
- Statement 3: Incorrect – Myanmar is a full member of BIMSTEC.
Q2. BTC General Election 2025 (Polity)
The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was created under which of the following constitutional provisions?
A. Fifth Schedule
B. Sixth Schedule
C. Seventh Schedule (Union–State Relations)
D. Article 371B
✅ Answer: B
🔎 Explanation: BTC is a Sixth Schedule autonomous council, created in 2003 after the Bodo Accord. Article 371B deals with a committee of Assam Assembly for tribal areas, not BTC.
Q3. Indian Coast Guard – FPV ‘Adamya’
Which of the following are functions of Indian Coast Guard?
- Marine pollution control
- Coastal surveillance and anti-smuggling
- Enforcement of maritime law
- Blue-water naval warfare
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation:
ICG handles maritime law enforcement, coastal security, pollution control, SAR (Search & Rescue). Naval warfare is the Indian Navy’s domain.
Q4. ‘Sushrusha Setu’ Health Camp in Barak Valley
Consider the following about healthcare in Assam:
- Barak Valley comprises three districts – Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi.
- As per SRS 2022, Assam’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is among the highest in India.
- The National Health Mission (NHM) is fully a state-funded scheme.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation:
- 1: Correct.
- 2: Correct – Assam has MMR ~195 (SRS 2022), among the highest.
- 3: Incorrect – NHM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (fund-sharing model).
Q5. Assam–Meghalaya Border Dispute
Match the following disputed sectors with their respective states:
| Disputed Sector | Associated State |
| 1. Langpih | (a) Ri-Bhoi district |
| 2. Gizang | (b) West Khasi Hills |
| 3. Ratacherra | (c) East Jaintia Hills |
Select the correct pairings:
A. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
C. 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
D. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation:
- Langpih → West Khasi Hills (b)
- Gizang → Ri-Bhoi (a)
- Ratacherra → East Jaintia Hills (c)
Q6. Assertion–Reason (Mixed from all topics)
Assertion (A): Assam’s connectivity with Southeast Asia under Act East Policy has been delayed.
Reason (R): Political instability in Myanmar has disrupted completion of the Kaladan Project and Trilateral Highway.
Choose the correct option:
A. A is true, R is true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. A is true, R is true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation: Instability in Myanmar is indeed a direct cause for delay in India’s AEP projects.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Model Answer
Q. “Myanmar’s political instability has become the biggest roadblock for India’s Act East Policy, undermining Northeast India’s connectivity ambitions. Critically examine its implications for Assam and suggest a way forward.”
(GS Paper II – International Relations | GS Paper III – Infrastructure & Security | GS Paper V – Assam and Northeast Development)
🔹 Introduction
India’s Act East Policy (2014) aims to transform the Northeast into a gateway to Southeast Asia. However, the post-2021 Myanmar coup turmoil has disrupted flagship projects such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project and the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, weakening Assam’s role as the nodal hub of regional connectivity.
🔹 Main Body
1️⃣ Importance of Myanmar for Act East Policy
- Geographic Gateway: Only ASEAN country sharing a land border with India (1,643 km).
- Connectivity Projects: Kaladan, Trilateral Highway, ICPs at Moreh & Zokhawthar.
- Assam’s Stake: Guwahati & Silchar as logistics hubs; boost to tea, bamboo, horticulture exports.
- Strategic Leverage: Counters China’s Belt & Road Initiative in Myanmar.
2️⃣ Impact of Myanmar’s Turmoil
- Project Delays: Kaladan and Trilateral Highway delayed by over 5 years.
- Security Concerns: Refugee influx, insurgent groups (ULFA(I), NSCN factions) using Myanmar’s soil, rising drug trafficking.
- Economic Losses: Assam’s trade remains dependent on Siliguri Corridor; missed integration with ASEAN.
- Diplomatic Weakness: China’s influence growing in Kyaukphyu Port and road networks.
- Social Impact: Border communities in Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland facing refugee pressure.
3️⃣ Broader Implications for Assam & Northeast
- Assam as Gateway: Delay undermines Guwahati’s role as multimodal logistics hub.
- Tourism & Culture: Buddhist circuit, eco-tourism links disrupted.
- Employment: Slower industrialisation, missed job opportunities for youth.
- Strategic Vulnerability: Assam caught in geo-political rivalry between India & China.
4️⃣ Government Efforts & Partial Alternatives
- Bangladesh Route Diversification – Use of Chattogram & Mongla ports for NE cargo.
- Sagarmala & Bharatmala Projects – Strengthening port & road infrastructure.
- BIMSTEC Engagement – Regional maritime and trade cooperation.
- Security Measures – Enhanced surveillance, cross-border patrols, refugee handling.
5️⃣ Way Forward
- Diversify Connectivity – Strengthen Bangladesh riverine & road routes to reduce Myanmar dependence.
- Strategic Diplomacy – Engage ASEAN, Japan, and Quad partners to counter Chinese influence.
- Security Integration – Joint patrols, better intelligence, and stricter drug/arms control.
- Local Development – Skill hubs, SEZs, and agro-processing in Assam to leverage trade corridors once functional.
- Resilient Infrastructure – Complete secure segments of Kaladan/Trilateral Highway even amid turmoil.
- Community Participation – Include border populations in peace and trade facilitation.
🔹 Conclusion
Myanmar’s instability has stalled India’s Act East vision, delaying Assam and Northeast’s economic transformation. However, by adopting a multi-pronged strategy—diversifying routes via Bangladesh, enhancing security, and fostering resilient infrastructure—India can keep the Northeast engaged with ASEAN markets. Assam, as the natural gateway, will remain pivotal in this process, provided governance and diplomacy adapt to geopolitical realities.hortsightedness. A shift towards sustainable urban planning, strict enforcement, and participatory governance can turn Guwahati into a climate-resilient city, safeguarding both its people and its fragile hill-wetland ecosystem.or sustainable development.
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