North-East a hub to complete Act East Policy: Ram Madhav

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Thursday said that people should look at the northeastern region as the hub to the complete Act East Policy of India, and not just as gateway to the East.

"North-East should not merely be seen as the gateway to the East, it should rather be seen a hub to the complete Act East Policy of India," Madhav said at the 10th edition of the Delhi Dialogue, which discussed politico-security, economic and socio-cultural engagement between India and ASEAN.

"Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, special focus has been initiated to make North East land hub. We are looking at land ports integrated check-points. We are developing check-points between Bangladesh and Tripura. It will be a major business point. We have governments in six states of the North East," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma said: "There is a huge opportunity and we must work to reach a goal. The Government of India has given us a lot of importance. It has gone an extra mile to give additional benefits to the people of North East."

While talking about the event, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said: "It will strengthen India-ASEAN relationship.