74 new land ports proposed along International Border, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• India plans to establish 74 new land ports along its international borders to boost trade and connectivity.
• This includes three new land ports along the China border and six along the Pakistan border.
• The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is spearheading this expansion.
• Currently, 15 land ports are operational, with 11 under construction and 63 more proposed across two phases.
• Trade through land ports has seen a 16-fold increase, rising from ₹5,000 crore in 2014 to ₹83,000 crore currently.
• The new Land Port Management System (LPMS) 'Vinimay' has been launched to digitize operations and reduce paperwork by 90%.

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Detailed Insights:

• The proposed land ports aim to strengthen trade and facilitate the seamless movement of people with neighboring countries.
• Along the China border, new land ports are planned at Namgia (Himachal Pradesh), Gunji (Uttarakhand), and Nathu La (Sikkim).
• Existing border trade points with China at Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass, and Nathu La Pass had trade suspended post-COVID-19 in 2020, though discussions are ongoing for resumption.
• For the Pakistan border, new land ports are proposed at Teetwal, Adusa, Chakan Da Bagh (Jammu and Kashmir), Attari railway station, Hussainiwala (Punjab), and Munabao railway station (Rajasthan).
• Currently, only the Attari land port in Punjab is operational with Pakistan, and trade via Facilitation Centres along the Line of Control (LoC) has been suspended since the Pulwama attack in 2019.
• India also withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.
• Under Phase II of the expansion, 13 land ports are proposed along the Nepal border, 12 along the Bangladesh border, four along Bhutan, and two along the Myanmar border.
• These developments are crucial for enhancing India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies, promoting regional connectivity, and reducing trade transaction costs.
• The LPMS 'Vinimay' integrates operations across land ports, bringing them on par with digital systems at airports and seaports, and is expected to significantly reduce processing times for cargo and passengers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Land Port: A designated area on international borders equipped with comprehensive facilities for customs, immigration, and movement of goods and people.
• Integrated Check Post (ICP): A single complex housing all regulatory agencies (customs, immigration, border security) to facilitate efficient cross-border movement.
• Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI): A statutory body established in 2012 under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for developing and managing land ports and ICPs.
• Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Status: A principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO) requiring a country to treat all its trading partners equally, offering the same trade advantages.