Tripura is a mirror of India: President

Tripura is a mirror of India, and one of the fastest-growing states in the country, President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.

"While unity in diversity exists in India, Tripura has similar characteristics too, with the tribals and non-tribals living together in great harmony," Mukherjee said at a civic reception hosted in his honour by the Agartala Municipal Council.

He said: "In 2012-13, India's GDP was five percent while Tripura's GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) was 8.6 percent. Tripura has now risen to fourth position in literacy among Indian states, and can achieve development in various fields," the president said.

Referring to Tripura's insurgency problems, now largely tamed, the president said that terrorism was a global predicament.

"When I was a central minister, after violent incidents in India, I have spent many sleepless nights to explain the situation to the leaders of many countries," he added.

Mukherjee said that he would always remain behind Tripura to solve its various problems.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar elaborated on the problems and challenges facing the northeastern state, and sought the president's intervention.

"To curb terrorism, make easier communication with the rest of the country and to boost the economy of Tripura, Bangladesh's help is very vital," Sarkar said.

Tripura governor Devanand Konwar, Agartala Municipal Council chairman Prafullajit Sinha and chief secretary S.K. Panda also spoke at the reception programme, held at the Agartala town hall.