The idea of reopening of the Stilwell road has brought forth divergent priorities of two important stakeholders - the military regime of Myanmar and provincial governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. While Myanmar has opposed the reopening of the Stilwell road, the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have called for reopening the road at the earliest. Their divergent priorities, have, in turn, further delayed the upgradation of the road and its subsequent reopening. The famous Stilwell Road was built by the British during World War II. Covering a distance of 1,726kms, the road originates in Ledo in Assam, and passes through the Hukawng Valley in Mytkyina, Burma, before finishing at Kunming in Yunnan Province, China. The Stilwell Road on the Indian side is about 61km long. While the major stretch of 1,033kms lies within the jungle-covered mountains and swampy valleys of northern Myanmar's Kachin State, in China the stretch is 632kms.

Of the 61km stretch in India, 30kms lie in Assam and 31kms in Arunachal Pradesh. The 14km stretch of the Stilwell road bordering between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which was earlier in a deplorable condition, has now been repaired. Construction of the Indo-Myanmar border section of the road is underway, which links Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar at Pangsau Pass. On the Indian side, while the road is being repaired and renovated up to Nampong under this scheme, the extension of the renovation work up to Pangsau Pass along Indo-Myanmar border is also in progress.

The reopening of the Stilwell road offers an opportunity to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to get connected to the Southern Chinese province of Yunnan and other Southeast Asian economies via Myanmar. Geographically, Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost corner of India, isolated from the mainland due to extremely limited transport and communication links over the difficult terrain. The reopening of the Stillwell road is therefore regarded by this region as the biggest hope for the future development of the state. The regional governments of Northeast India have long-requested that the famous Stillwell Road be reopened to facilitate trade with Burma and Southeast Asia.

Cross-border trade has special significance for the economies of the northeastern states, which share a long international border with Myanmar, which accounts for a major portion of their border trade activities. Even though at present formal trade is limited to 22 items, informal trade carries on between the people of border regions of both the countries. For instance, people from Arunachal Pradesh use the Stillwell road without any restrictions to buy products at the border areas. People from the adjacent villages cross over into neighbouring Myanmar, buy a few things available from the friendly locals, and return to India without a passport or visa. At this juncture, Burmese items other than cigarettes and tea are not available. The open border along the Stilwell road leads to Pangsau village in Myanmar and to the Lake of No Return.

While the Indian side of the road is under construction, the military government of Myanmar has delayed the upgradation of the part of the road which lies within Myanmar and comprises the largest stretch. Myanmar justifies the delay on security grounds. The 300km stretch of the road passing through the Kachin area of Burma is home to many insurgent groups operating in the Northeast. Considering the situation in Kachin state, where the junta has little to no control, the Burmese are not keen to reopen the road. As a result, the junta has continuously delayed the matter.

However, the military government must take a preliminary rain check on the existing symbiotic cross-border trade and barter relations before it decides whether or not the road should be repaired and reopened. The area is not connected with mainland Myanmar and therefore the locals depend on the Indian side for their requirements. Items for daily use in Pangsau are procured from Nampong in India, where the Burmese people are allowed to trek or come by (unlicensed) bikes and run their weekly errands. They are not asked for their passport or visa for entering the border area although an inner line permit is required to reach the last Indian outpost. Naga girls run shops selling basic utility items such as, garments, torches, cells, and blades which are made in India. Salt and biscuits are the most sought after items. People of this area are still a neglected lot, deprived of basic supplies and goods.

It is hoped that the reopening of the Stilwell will change the economic scenario of this region. Therefore, with the reopening of the road, measures should be taken to facilitate border trade - considered one of the most important instruments for the development of the bordering regions. Moreover, cross-border trade unifies the interests of the people across the border, which in turn helps in enforcing better border management. Hence, it is time for Myanmar to take a proactive approach towards reopening of the Stilwell road.