BCIM Corridor in the BRI: A Missed Opportunity or Future Potential?

Mohammad Maruf Hasan PhD and Zhang Chaozhe PhD :

BCIM, called The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, one of the six envisioned corridors which consist of the main framework for building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), remains one of the most undeveloped as well as politically delicate areas of the transnational infrastructural network. Geopolitical conflicts, infrastructure issues, and conflicting strategic objectives among the member nations have hindered the BCIM corridor’s expansion. In contrast, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has grown quickly throughout Central Asia, Africa, and Europe. In 1999, The Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences initiated and hosted the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Regional Economic Cooperation Forum attended by scholars from the four countries.
The BCIM Economic Cooperation Forum was then considered a Track II diplomatic project through its dialogue activities. This initiative studied the possible development and economic value created by connecting Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to Mandalay in Myanmar, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Kolkata in India. The regions maintained historical trade routes until colonial-era borders, along with geopolitical divisions, separated these regions. BCIM functioned to bring back the broken cultural connection through economic linkages and social interaction revival between neighboring regions. From the strategic point of view, the BCIM corridor was treated as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. It gives China access to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar and Bangladesh, and India an opportunity to develop its northeastern states and strengthen its relationship with ASEAN, Bangladesh, and Myanmar connectivity and economic diversification at the regional level. It also shares the ambition to connect with other initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India’s Act East Policy, or ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan.
Strategic and Economic Significance
The BCIM corridor is planning to build improved roads, railways and transport networks between isolated regions. Improving these structures would help unite the northeastern parts of India, western Myanmar and southwestern China. Explore methods for China to access the Indian Ocean on different routes, so it doesn’t have to rely just on the South China Sea. Favour India’s Act East Policy to boost connections with Southeast Asia. Raise the success rate of shipments from Kunming to Kolkata in just one week. Support trading between countries, allow foreign investment and create millions of jobs. By developing modern transport routes, the region will physically connect both South and Southeast Asian areas which will support the economy and help create a better balance of power among Asian nations.
Because of increased regional integration, countries depend on each other which means remote parts of a region feel less isolated in terms of security. Yunnan in China will avoid the crowded sea routes in the South China Sea if land routes through the Bay of Bengal were developed and connected to the Indian Ocean.China does this to give a useful advantage to its trading and energy security actions. The links between BCIM’s road and railway provide a way for India to turn the Northeastern region into a major gateway for its underdeveloped and isolated states. Border trade and connections established under the Act East Policy benefit ASEAN relations.
The BCIM initiative places great importance on setting up special zones for trade where borders meet. They try to allow free movement of goods, services and investments. Encourage cooperation among regions to ease geopolitical problems. Strengthen the economies of areas close to borders that are often troubled or lack advancements. Make it easier for SMEs to clear goods by simplifying customs, reducing how much they pay in tariffs and using solid logistic services. Support the establishment of groups of businesses focusing on textiles, electronics and agro processing in various regions. Offer employment to people who are unemployed and cut down on informal business. Promote sharing of cultures and help countries trust each other.
Beijing regards BCIM as a way to continue its economic strategy and ensure secure connections for energy and trade. Even though India is concerned about its rivalry with China, it realizes it can develop the less-developed areas in the east. Officials in Bangladesh and Myanmar believe BCIM will improve their infrastructure, increase investment from abroad and ensure good relations with China and India.
Current Status and Future Prospects
Particularly due to issues around negotiations for the BRI, India and China’s engagements have proceeded slowly, but there are now signs such as the Kazan Summit that a reopening of talks may take place. BCIM gives partners in this arrangement a chance to focus on cooperation outside the military field. The corridor gives Bangladesh and Myanmar new opportunities to influence their relations with India and China.
Additionally, BCIM provides opportunities for the countries to expand into new markets. Create industrial partnerships to attract Foreign Direct Investment in textiles, processing food or crops, electronics and basic manufacturing. Strive to increase integration with fiber optics, digital platforms for finance, online shopping and schools. Even without a complete political commitment, it is possible for technical and administrative steps under organizations such as BIMSTEC or UNESCAP to set up BCIM separately from the BRI.
By turning into a “green corridor,” BCIM could gain even more popularity in the region. As well as providing infrastructure, it is a plan for fostering greater prosperity, unity and peace among everyone.
In addition, BCIM is designed to support industry-related energy and logistics, along with market alliances, for trouble-free trade. From a strategy point of view, it helps by aligning with redundant and reliable supply lines and energy pathways. It helps the economy grow, reduces the expenses of trading and supports competitiveness.
Should BCIM get help from government leaders and joined forces, it may lead to a future where the four nations exist peacefully, prosperously and connected. The BCIM vision will be achieved by turning these policy-based areas into strong and inclusive economic platforms. In addition, the BCIM area will benefit from stakeholders developing energy and transport systems that are connected, streamlined and secure.

(The authors: Mohammad Maruf Hasan, PhD, Associate Professor, School of International Studies, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China and Zhang Chaozhe, PhD, Associate Professor, Vice Dean of the School of International Studies and Director of Pakistan Study Center, Sichuan University,
Sichuan, China)