The present study is an attempt to explore the potential for trade and investment expansion under sub-regional cooperation comprising four contiguous countries in Eastern South Asia, which includes the two economies rapidly growing -India and China and the two developing economies of Bangladesh and Myanmar (BCIM). The initiative to explore potential cooperation opportunities in this sub-region, which became known as the Kunming Initiative, is essentially a Type II effort. The main objective of this initiative is to promote economic cooperation between the countries of this sub-region by making the most of their comparative advantages. The idea is to realize the potential benefits arising from abundant natural, human and other resources, based on mutual complementarities, through deeper integration of the constituent economies of the BCIM sub-region. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The starting point of BCIM cooperation is that the integration of these strategically located sub-regional areas, especially Northeast India (NIE ), Bangladesh, Myanmar and Southwest China, constituting a natural economic zone, are considered potentially in capable of generating substantial economic benefits in the sectors of trade, investment, energy, transport and tourism. The economic dynamism of India and China could also offer a wide range of growth and development opportunities in the region. The first contacts between China and South Asia date back to the times of the legendary ancient Silk Road, a trade channel that connected China with the outside world via the South (South and Central) Asian route. In recent years, interest has emerged in exploring the historical links between South Asian countries and peoples and the Chinese people. There is a manifesto to establish closer slavery between Yunnan province in southwest China, northeast India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Yunnan has a particular interest in reviving ties with Assam as this could provide direct access to Indian and Western markets, which would otherwise involve a 7,000km diversion through Hong Kong and Singapore. There is an understanding that Myanmar and Bangladesh could also benefit economically through mutual cooperation based on mutual complementarities. Greater connectivity between these countries could open up opportunities for greater trade and investment using the comparative advantages of their respective members, with strong development implications for all, and in particular for weaker parts such as the NEI (North-East India) and the Yunnan and countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Closer cooperation of Bangladesh with particularly the backward NEIs, under this cooperation agreement, could play an important role in reducing the substantial bilateral trade deficit with India, which has become increasingly visible in recent years . In view of this, the objective of this paper is to explore the potential for expanding trade and investment cooperation between member countries of the BCIM forum and the possible challenges that any possible envisaged cooperation could face..