NE future depends on relations with neighbouring countries : Gogoi

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said that the future of North-East depends on the relationship with its eastern neighbouring countries.

North-East and South East Asia were inter dependent and the future of the region depends on its relationship with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, Gogoi said at the inaugural session of 'Maitree Summit, 2013--India Bangladesh High Potential Leaders Dialogue on Peace', organised here by Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP).

Addressing the inaugural session, titled 'India and Bangladesh: Shared History and Geography', the Chief minister highlighted the shared cultural and geographical ties between the two countries.

''There are problems such as a porous border and smuggling as well as sharing of river waters but we also share some common problems like flood and erosion by the mighty Brahmaputra'', Gogoi said.

Referring to the issue of foreign policy, the Chief Minister said that in recent times most issues were being increasingly linked to the country's foreign policy and he urged youths to get more involved in the country's foreign affairs to make it more dynamic.British Deputy High Commissioner (Eastern India) Sanjay Wadhwani said on the occasion that the northeast had witnessed gradual development over the years and also emphasized the role of trade in enhancing ties. Wadhwani, however, admitted that there were still considerable hurdles in various sector but the Northeast could achieve its full potential with concerted effort.