PUSH TO NORTH EAST

Sushma Swaraj with chief ministers of NE states after an interactive session with them

To increase the momentum of India's Act East Policy, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday held a high-level meeting with all the Chief Ministers of the North-eastern states. She put emphasis on better connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar and suggestions were noted to implement them in a better way. Apart from the immediate neighbourhood, Swaraj also gave importance to create a better connectivity with the Asean countries.

In a press release issued after the meeting, External Affairs Ministry said that the meeting deliberated on the North-eastern region's intraregional and sub-regional surface and air linkages, focussing on seamless connectivity with its contiguous neighbourhood. Continued development of relevant infrastructure both within the country and at the international level was also discussed with a view to enhancing trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contact.

Other than External Affairs Minister, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman Niti Aayog, Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Chief minister Conrad Sangma and Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Dev were present. Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Chowna Mein and Minister of State of External Affairs Gen VK Singh were also present. There was no official word about nonparticipation of Mizoram chief minister.

External Affairs Minister had a similar interaction with the Governors of the Northeastern states in November. During that time, the empha- sis was given to India-asean relationship because of the commemorative India-asean summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 15th India-asean summit in Philippines capital Manila, during which he reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment to strengthen ties with South East Asian countries.

Interestingly, the Prime Minister would be travelling to Nepal on 11 May and after that will meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Santiniketan on 25-26 May. Both the PMS will inaugurate a Museum built by the Bangladesh Government. In today's meeting, External Affairs Minister told that the Northeastern region was an active stakeholder in India's Act East Policy.

Greater connectivity and economic integration of India's North-east with its eastern neighbours was considered a key focus for growth and development of the region.

India's Act East Policy had received a major boost following the Asean-india commemorative summit which was held in New Delhi on 25 January 2018.