North east is a 'natural partner' in India's Act East Policy: Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that the north east is a 'natural partner' in India's Act East Policy.

Delivering her address at the briefing for the Governors of north eastern states on India's 'Act East Policy' at the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan here, Swaraj stated that the north east is a 'natural partner' in India's Act East Policy being our land bridge to ASEAN. She added that the Act East Policy is a means to strengthen the stability, economy and prospects of our north eastern region.

The briefing covered comprehensively all aspects of India's Act East Policy with particular focus on how these had an impact on the north eastern region.

The briefing also covered various cross-border connectivity projects that are under implementation or discussion, which would link the north east to the wider region including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

Issues of border trade and integrating the north east into regional production and value chains were also discussed, as were steps towards enhancing capacity building and facilitating greater cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The briefing was undertaken as follow up to a specific recommendation emanating from the conference of Governors chaired by President Pranab Mukherjee earlier in February this year.