Northeast governors briefed on 'Act East Policy'

India's 'Look East' policy is aimed at promoting trade and people to people contacts with South East Asia. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently briefed the Governors of northeastern states about it.

Swaraj also briefed the governors on various cross-border connectivity projects that would link the north east to a wider region including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand and even Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

The meeting in New Delhi covered comprehensively all aspects of India's Act East Policy, with particular focus on how these impacted on the north eastern region.

Former chairman of CII's Nagaland Council, Dr Aotoshi welcomed Centre's initiative and said that it would increase economic activity in the region.

"We always use to refer the rest of India as mainland India. Now one major benefit that is going to take place because of this look east policy which has been transformed into act east policy as announced by the present govt, is that there will be no more mainland & isolated North East because now this region is expected to become a hub of activities, most importantly economic activity and that's a welcome thing," he said.

"Immediately when we look at what areas we get engaged in, I think most important areas will be the agriculture and the horticulture sector on one hand there will be people coming and going out, the tourism industry, the hospitality industry, education, healthcare, all are expected to grow," he added.

To enhance the capacity building and facilitate cultural ties with ASEAN, Vice President Hamid Ansari had recently visited Cambodia and Lao PDR. During his visit, Ansari laid emphasis on relations with South-east Asia as a part of India's Act-East Policy.

Air connectivity of India's Northeast with ASEAN countries was one of the prime focus.