The Union budget has given a fillip to India's Look East policy, which holds immense strategic importance for the country besides giving a leg-up to the economic prosperity of the northeastern states of the country.
In the budget speech, finance minister P Chidambaram said "combining the Look East policy and the interests of the northeastern states, I propose to seek the assistance of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to build roads in the northeastern States and connect them to Myanmar,"
India's Look East policy begins with Myanmar, which is taking baby-steps towards democracy and coming out of international isolation.
New Delhi is keen on the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway, which would go a long way in East Asia integration.
India is also working on road and other connectivity projects in Myanmar that would connect it with the northeastern parts of India.
These include upgradation of the 160-km-long Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyoroda which connects Indian town of Moreh in Manipur to central Myanmar Ri-Tiddim road.