At the ongoing BIMSTEC Ports Conclave, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) has been spotlighted as a transformative blueprint to deepen connectivity and trade integration across the Bay of Bengal region. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Kaladan project, reaffirming that it is likely to become fully operational by 2027.
The conclave featured a dedicated panel discussion, “Kaladan Corridor: Catalysing Bay of Bengal Port Connectivity and Regional Trade Flows,” which underlined how the project—jointly undertaken by India and Myanmar—will link Kolkata Port to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port by sea, and further connect to Mizoram through inland waterways and road networks. Once operational, it is expected to significantly reduce transit time and trade costs for the Northeastern states, boosting economic opportunities and making the region a key player in cross-border commerce.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the broader impact of the Kaladan project under India’s Act East Policy. “The Kaladan Project stands as a transformative gateway connecting India’s Northeast to the Bay of Bengal, reducing transit time and trade costs while unlocking new economic opportunities. As envisioned by our dynamic Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, under India’s Act East Policy, Kaladan is not just a bilateral initiative with Myanmar, but a model for seamless regional connectivity across BIMSTEC. Our ‘landlinked’ neighbours Bhutan and Bangladesh can benefit out of this project while also paving the way for future collaboration for smooth and efficient transport corridors,” Sonowal said.
The Kaladan project aligns closely with the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity (2018–2028) and is seen as a potential cornerstone of BIMSTEC’s larger connectivity vision. Beyond bilateral trade, it aims to catalyse inclusive growth, deepen integration with neighbouring economies, and diversify trade flows across South and Southeast Asia.
The session at the conclave produced key recommendations: replicating similar cross-border connectivity corridors to link landlocked BIMSTEC members like Nepal and Bhutan to maritime trade, exploring deeper regional integration, and developing models for international cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Participants emphasised the need for interoperable infrastructure, harmonised customs and border procedures, and resilient maritime and land transport networks to make regional trade smoother and more efficient.
In parallel, the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), signed in April 2025, was discussed as an important instrument to harmonise maritime transport policies and facilitate cross-border shipping. With plans to draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with the implementation of the AMTC, member states aim to reduce procedural bottlenecks, enhance shipping services, and promote inter-port cooperation. Aligning the AMTC with the Kaladan project and other regional transport initiatives is expected to strengthen connectivity and economic resilience across the Bay of Bengal. “With the implementation of AMTC, it is expected that Kaladan is likely to play as a blueprint for developing other similar logistical conduits for smoother, swifter and efficient supply chains optimising the regional trade in the region. With its strategic geographical location, the Northeast is likely to play a crucial role in securing and maximising the goals from this objective,” said Sarbananda Sonowal.
For India’s Northeast, the Kaladan project marks a critical step in transforming the region from landlocked to “landlinked.” It offers new access to global shipping routes, lowers logistical costs, and opens markets for local industries, agriculture, and handicrafts.
States such as Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam stand to gain from improved connectivity and trade routes, while Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland will also benefit through enhanced integration into larger supply chains, increased investment in logistics and warehousing, and better market access. Together, these developments promise to boost tourism, provide access to global trade routes, create employment, and unlock sustainable growth across the entire Northeastern region.
Union Minister Sonowal credited the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in driving this vision forward. “By linking ports, trade corridors, and value chains, the Kaladan project has the potential to catalyse inclusive growth, deepen integration with our neighbours, and bring the Northeast closer to the global marketplace,” Sonowal noted. “Kaladan can truly become a cornerstone of our shared vision for prosperity and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal. The visionary PM Narendra Modi ji continues to empower the Northeast and ensure it drives the growth of the new Bharat.”
