A Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor: Geoeconomic and Geostrategic Implications

Abstract

Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) will integrate BCIM sub-region that includes southwest China, northeast India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In particular, the BCIM-EC will run from Kunming (capital city of Yunnan Province of China) to Kolkata (capital city of West Bengal of India) via Myanmar, Northeast India and Bangladesh. It also links the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh and Myanmar. Significantly, the corridor will form at thriving economic belt that will promote common development of this sub-region with the linkages of transport, energy and telecommunications networks. However, this is very interesting area for academic enquiry but under exploration. Meanwhile, the paper investigates the significance of the BCIM-EC in geoeconomic and geostrategic consideration for the BCIM countries. It explores, particularly, how the building of the BCIM-EC can facilitate these countries in securing common economic and strategic benefits by using their geostrategic position. Therefore, based on the investigation, the paper concludes that the BCIM-EC will facilitate these countries in bolstering trade and investments, developing the infrastructures and enhancing their geostrategic value and advantages. More importantly, it will work as a driving force behind “alliances for prosperity” of the BCIM countries.