Need For Better Connectivity For Prosperity of The Region: Jagdish Mukhi

GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi advocated for connectivity such as airway, roadway, railway, waterway and i-way which hold the key in furthering India’s relations with the South East Asian region.

While delivering the valedictory speech during the 2nd ASEAN-India Youth Summit at Taj Vivanta here on Tuesday, Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi said that the Northeast region of India has emerged as a critical bridgehead of India’s foreign policy with ASEAN and BBN countries. In order to make the country’s Act East Policy a success, India’s connectivity with ASEAN countries through North East need to be given a boost.

According to a press release, the Governor said that there is an urgent need to launch direct flights between the capitals of ASEAN and BBN countries from Guwahati. He said that under UDAN scheme, substantial progress has been made to start direct flight services between Guwahati and Dhaka and Bangkok. Moreover, efforts are on to start direct flight services between Guwahati and Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu and Yangoon.

The Governor also harped on improving digital connectivity for economic progress of the region. Considering the geographical closeness of the north eastern region with Bangladesh, the internet gateway stationed at Cox Bazaar Bangladesh can be used to provide internet connectivity to all the capital cities of North East.

Hailing the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Governor said that the Act East Policy which entails increased people to people contact, trade and other relations with countries on India’s east particularly ASEAN countries should be adequately used for the growth of the region. Prof Mukhi also said that the Prime Minister has put the north eastern region at the heart of the Act East Policy. The policy puts North East, which has so far been treated as an isolated region, at the center of India’s interaction with ASEAN.

Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who was present on the occasion said that north eastern states are connected with the South East Asian region and therefore they share several similarities. With more than 2075 ethnic groups, the North East is the demographic museum of the country and shares common agenda of the ASEAN countries. He also said that the Act East Affairs Department has also been formed in the state to develop people to people relation with the ASEAN country. Several dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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