Reviving Silk Route: China eyes high speed rail link between Kunming and Kolkata

By NewsGram Staff Writer

China has shown interest in establishing a high speed rail link between Kunming and Kolkata in order to revive the ancient silk route. The proposal was mentioned at the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) meet in Kunming.

As per media reports the proposal seeks to give a boost to the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) multi-model corridor project initiated by China.

"We are in favour of it. The high-speed corridor would help the economies of Myanmar and Bangladesh as well," Li Ji Ming, vice secretary of Yunnan provincial government was reported as saying.

The 2800 kilometer rail route could be a significant component for the BCIM corridor that seeks trade and flow of people across the border.

Reportedly, Yunnan is one of the major provinces engaged in the construction of China-Indo-China peninsula economic corridor and BCIM economic corridor.

Mink has asked for "active participation" from India to develop the BCIM and China-India peninsula corridor projects.

"We are glad to know that after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, the look east policy has substantially moved ahead. We hope we can join our efforts together. We are big partners and influential in the region," he was reported as saying.

China has been seeking a revival of the ancient silk route with a visionary plan to establish wide-ranging connectivity from Kunming to Kolkata. Reportedly it has pledged US $40 billion for the silk route, having a trade potential of US $132 billion.