Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.153

v2.c13.s3.t2.153

In the early phase, Calcutta's link with China was primarily through the maritime route. During World War II, the importance of Calcutta as the gateway from India to southwestern China via the overland route became apparent. Calcutta played a major role in the Allied War effort to keep supplies and communication lines to China open at a time when much of the eastern and coastal regions of China were under Japanese occupation. In recent years, this connection of Calcutta with southwestern China has again come to the fore, with regional forums like the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) initiative and with the increasing number of tourists from both countries who are taking advantage of Calcutta's proximity to Kunming by air.