SHILLONG: Better connectivity in the North East will benefit the economy of the region and the country as a whole, said US Consul General in Kolkata Craig Hall.
Hall, along with the US Embassy’s Defense Attaché Brigadier General David E Brigham, visited Shillong on Wednesday and held discussions with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and senior officials of the Indian Air Force.
During the meeting with the chief minister, the delegates discussed about railway connectivity to Shillong and increasing the number of flights from the state.
Emphasising the need for improving connectivity for the state’s economy to grow, Hall told reporters after the meeting that the US business is coming to India but it’s going to other parts of the country and the US government “does not direct private companies as to where they should invest in India”.
“It is the state which has to attract private capital,” he added.
Stating that the US supports the Act East Policy, Hall added that East and South East Asia would benefit from Indian influence and inner action.
He, however, expressed concern over the fact that the gap in economic growth in South and West India and North and East India is wide and would create problems if it gets wider.
The team will also visit Siliguri, Darjeeling and Guwahati. The Brigadier General is on his first familiarisation trip to the region and the visit is a continuation of the US government and Consulate General Kolkata’s efforts to build sustained engagement in North Bengal and the North East.
As a part of his outreach, the Brigadier General plans to meet with defense, law enforcement and security officials, other government officials and civil society leaders in the region.
