Sonowal roots for strong Indo-Japan partnership

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday called for a long term vision for a strong Indo-Japan partnership to ensure economic development in the North East and for the success of Act East Policy.
“Assam government is taking a series of initiatives, including interaction between senior officials from the state and Japan to understand the mutual requirements of both and accordingly take steps to bolster economic development of the state,” Sonowal said in his key note address at a workshop India-Japan Partnership for Economic Development in North Eastern Region of India.
Assam and Japan shares core strengths of partnership in tourism, culture, education, trade and organic farm products, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making North East an organic hub of the country can bring in economic development of the state in sync with the nature, he said and sought Assam-Japan cooperation towards helping North East in this respect.
“If we closely look at the North Eastern region in its entirety ranging from anthropological, geographical, economic and cultural setting vis-a-vis Japan, we will realise that the partnership would find a sound platform with this region as a springboard,” he added.
The government since taking over power has taken several pro-active steps to bring back business confidence and revive the investment cycle in the state, Sonowal said.
Minister Political, Embassy of Japan in India, Hideki Asari said Assam was important for Japan and constant people to people exchange between the two countries for strengthening partnership was very important.
The programme was organised by India Foundation in association with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. (PTI)