The Politics of Indo - Myanmar Cross Border Trade; A View from Nagaland, India

Trade between countries plays an important role in economic development of the countries. It strengthens the transaction and exchange of goods and services among trading nations which in turn increases the income and living standard of the people. Cross-border trade is just another form of trade between the two neighbouring countries. Nagaland being located at an important tri-junction of India's North-eastern border state, this paper tries to look into the challenges and prospects facing Indo-Myanmar trade by surveying the four declared international trade centre in the state. The findings revealed that besides the existence of indo-naga-myanmar political problems, these centres by and large are still lacking behind in basic infrastructure, viz, road, banking, custom office, etc, which are necessary for business activities. The paper concludes by suggesting various policies and measures which can be taken up by the Indian and Myanmar Government that has a direct bearing on the growth of bilateral trade between the two Nations.