Sixty years later, as India and China outdo each other in extending their relationships with Myanamar, re-paving this historic road makes tremendous sense.
According to The Financial Times China has already upgraded the road on its side of the border to a six-lane highway.
India too has plans to promote the road that General Stilwell and thousands of people built, to a two-lane highway by March, with the eye at connecting the northeast with the thriving south China and east Asian markets.
Simultaneously, both China and India are participating in having the Myanmar segment of the road repaired.
Some time in 2008 it may be possible to drive in the footsteps of history from Yangon (Rangoon) to Kunming and stop for a cuppa of piping hot Assam tea at Ledo on the way.
Photograph: Army trucks wind along the side of the mountain over the Ledo supply road that was opened from India into Burma during World War II. Photograph: Courtesy, the US National Archives and Records Administration (http://www.archives.gov)
Also read: Why Burma matters
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