AIZAWL: In a significant diplomatic rendezvous, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Mizoram's Chief Minister, Lalduhoma, in New Delhi. The meeting, held on Wednesday, focused on fostering closer collaboration between the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) and the Mizoram government.
Expressing mutual delight at the encounter, Jaishankar shared on social media, "So glad to meet Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri @Lal_Duhoma ji today. We began Government service at the same time and trained together." He went on to highlight the key agenda of their talks, stating, "Discussed how MEA and the State Government could collaborate more closely."
The event unfolded against the backdrop of Lalduhoma's recent assumption of the Chief Minister's office in Mizoram. A landmark ceremony at Mc Donald Hill Aizawl marked his ascent to power in December 2023. Notably, Lalduhoma carved a distinctive path to leadership, being the first non-Mizo National Front (MNF) or Congress leader to hold the esteemed position.
Lalduhoma's professional journey commenced as an IPS officer in 1977. His service included a notable stint as a squad leader in Goa, where he was entrusted with cracking down on delinquent hippies and smugglers—an accomplishment that garnered national media recognition. Subsequently, Lalduhoma transitioned into politics, resigning from his IPS position to join the Congress. In 1984, he was elected from Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha seat.
His political trajectory witnessed the founding of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), a party that gained prominence and evolved into a formidable player in Mizoram's political landscape. ZPM's recent triumph in the assembly polls, winning 27 out of 40 constituencies, disrupted the longstanding power alternation between the MNF and the Congress in the Northeast state.
The ZPM, formed through the merger of six smaller outfits six years ago, secured a decisive victory, steering Mizoram away from its traditional political oscillation. As the political landscape undergoes a transformation, the collaboration between the MEA and the Mizoram government takes on added significance.
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