This became apparent after the recent visit to China by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, from the tenor of his remarks on the progress of the concept so far.

There has been no lack of interest on China’s part to develop the corridor as fast and effectively as possible. The Chinese have announced their plans for the corridor a crucial component to open up and develop economically the border regions and beyond, within the economic grouping. The countries involved account for nearly 30% of the world’s population, with a strong middle class presence, enjoying considerable purchasing power.

The Chinese vision of the project, as outlined in the Beijing-based media, views it as an initiative that can “change the geo political map of Asia and even the world.” Acting as a new major link between the teeming South Asia and South East Asia regions, the corridor, linking Kunming city, the capital of Yunan province with Kolkata, the project has a multi dimensional growth potential for economic development.

China has expressed its interest to develop major road and railway links expeditiously and specifically called for co-operation from India as the major regional neighbor to help the BMIC’s completion. The Chinese wish to see the extension of the millennium’s new trade route eventually to be extended to the proposed Kolkata-Amritsar corridor.

On the anvil are projects related to tourism, border trade and business hubs, banking, transport, commerce, housing and infrastructure development in what might become a multi-billion dollar investment on part of the countries involved.

Given this background and the high level of Chinese interest, Dr Singh’s comments, following the release of a joint statement with China, appeared intriguing to observers. Assuring Indian co-operation, Dr Singh stressed the need for better co-ordination and understanding among the countries involved. He also hoped that “Bangladesh and Myanmar would co-operate in ensuring the success of the project.”

As one Dhaka-based analyst pointed out: “The boot is on the other foot. Dr Singh could have been the victim of some inept briefing by his advisors. He should have known that months ago, during several meetings between officials of China and Bangladesh to work out the modalities of road links and routes connecting the capital cities of the region, both sides expressed their acute disappointment over the lukewarm attitude of India towards the project. The Indian officials seemed to be going slow. They promised to take up the matter with Indian authorities, and expressed these views in their respective media. “

The major part of the problem appeared to be in West Bengal, where the ruling Trinamool Congress seemed to be totally unaware of the regional and economic importance of the proposed corridor.

During the now regular motor rallies between Kolkata and Kunming, participants regardless of their nationality strongly complained against the pathetic condition of North Bengal roads and highways. The lack of civic support, public awareness or even minimal interest in what was being envisaged was shocking, to say the least. “It seemed nobody knew or followed the basic rules of driving in parts of Bengal, and the police were no help either,” was a common refrain among drivers when they spoke to the media.

“The local government blamed New Delhi, while New Delhi blamed Kolkata,” lamented one participant.

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hardly seemed bothered about the poor perception of her State among international visitors. Too busy with attending local cultural meets and party gatherings with her entourage of Tollywood film personalities, she delegated the task of liaising with rally participants, Consular officials and others, to her Transport Minister Madan Mitra.

To his credit, Mitra expressed his keen interest and assured all support. “But that has not helped in improving the condition of the roads,” said a participant from Bangladesh.

There was the general feeling that India’s lack of interest seemed to be a carry-on from its attitude towards the earlier SAARC grouping. Here too, other countries often complained about India not taking much active interest in settling intra regional problems and issues.

The Chinese have indicated that they would invest in a major way in implementing the BCIM project. Among the world’s largest investors at the moment, China is also proposing greater economic co-operation with and promising investments in, Viet Nam, Laos , Cambodia and the Philippines, although it has major problems with some of these countries over the maritime jurisdiction of the South China Sea. Chinese investors have also been buying up most assets in Detroit city, after its authorities declared bankruptcy.

The post–army Junta regime in resource-rich Myanmar is currently examining a series of options relating to its ambitious infrastructure development programmes. Most major countries including India are sponsoring or participating in these projects. The BMIC corridor would serve its purpose effectively.

Bangladesh too has drawn up plans to make the best possible use of the corridor to rev up its exports and get the maximum advantage from the big Chinese investments expected.

Unless relations between the ruling TMC in West Bengal and the Congress at the Centre improves, India may not benefit much from the projected corridor. Acrimony between the former political allies in Delhi has prevented the finalization of the Teesta Water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh, making things difficult for secular political forces in Dhaka in the next general elections.

Instead of hoping for a better response from Bangladesh and Myanmar to the regional grouping, therefore, Dr Singh would have been better advised to persuade Ms Banerjee to play a more constructive role on international matters in India’s own greater interest. Failing which, he should have read her the riot act and told her to get moving — or else.

But being temperamentally averse to public spats and controversies, it is most likely that India’s good Prime Minister would leave such an undertaking for his successor in 2014.(IPA Service)