During a call on Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Minister for Border Affairs, Government of Myanmar by Shri Saurabh Kumar, the Ambassador of India to Myanmar on August 28, a cheque was handed over for US$ 5 million for the third year of the India-Myanmar Border Area Development.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on India-Myanmar Border Area Development was signed during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Myanmar in May 2012. According to this MoU, India would grant US$ 5 million per annum for the basic infrastructure and livelihood development of the Chin State and Naga Self -Administered Zone.

Under the third year projects, nine roads and bridges and five schools have been constructed in Chin State. The projects have been undertaken in nine townships with 82 beneficial villages. The beneficiaries include an estimated 28,000 people. Similarly in Naga Self-Administered Zone, 14 roads and bridges and six schools and one healthcare centre have been constructed in around three township areas covering 80 villages. An estimated 49,000 villagers have benefitted from the project. Overall in the third cycle of India-Myanmar Border Area Development, so far 141 projects of construction of roads and bridges, healthcare centres, schools and other facilities in Chin State and Naga Self-Administered Zone have been implemented or are in advance stages of implementation.

The Government of India will continue to work with Government of Myanmar to further extend assistance in the Border Areas.