NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, along with his Tripura and Mizoram counterparts, has put emphasis on increased connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for success of the Act East Policy.
Addressing a gathering at the 10th edition of the Delhi Dialogue, Sangma affirmed that the northeastern states could take a lead in promoting the objectives of the policy.
“This will help in further engaging with neighbouring nations and the larger ASEAN region to promote trade, commerce and cultural relations,” he added.
Lal Thanhawla, the chief minister of Mizoram, echoed Sangma’s views on the North East’s role and said India has no territorial dispute with its ASEAN neighbours.
Meghalaya shares its border with Bangladesh and Mizoram with Bangladesh as well as Myanmar.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj — who was speaking on Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Co-operation, the theme for the plenary — told the heads of the northeastern states that “efforts are on to reinforce ancient links of culture and cooperation with the ASEAN region and the government envisions northeastern states to be active partners in developing linkages with the region”.
Taking a cue from Swaraj’s thrust on commerce-connectivity-culture as areas of cooperation, Sangma said, “Connectivity in the form of roads, railways and airways linking the state to the ASEAN is vital for growth and development. This communication network plays dynamic roles as ‘veins and arteries’ for flow of goods, services and persons within and outside the country.”
The chief minister hailed the plan for reopening of Stilwell Road from Ledo in Assam to Kunming in China via Myanmar as he believed that the 1,736-km connectivity would give a fillip to cross-border trade.
“Meghalaya has accorded top priority to providing all-weather road connectivity and accessibility to market centres, border haats, tourist destinations, production centres and rural settlements to incentivise farmers and producers to augment yield and export their products to international markets,” he told the gathering at the Dialogue.
In this context, Sangma did not forget to mention the role of Shillong and Baljek airports. He hoped that ropeways and cable cars could play an important part in the daily life of a common man in the inaccessible parts of the state, particularly along the southern slopes bordering Bangladesh.
“Similarly, Chittagong is the closest port to the northeastern region and access to this should be provided. ASEAN countries should open their consulates in the North East since people from here have to travel all the way to Kolkata to get visas,” he added.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb highlighted the vast potential of the region in enhancing ties with the Southeast Asian region. He talked about the reforms his government is taking in Tripura to realise this potential.
Delhi Dialogue is an annual event to discuss politico-security, economic and socio-cultural engagements between India and the ASEAN, as per a release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Agro products
Sangma also spoke about Meghalaya’s huge scope for export of high value agro-horticultural products like Lakadong turmeric, ginger, fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, etc. “The state government is taking active steps to ensure that the huge potential for organic farming is met by creation of certification agencies and promotion of organic farming,” he said.
