Delhi Dialogue VII CM raises issues of Act East Policy
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, March 11 2015:
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh remarked that the opening of the border trade pact in Moreh had begun to restore bilateral trade between Manipur and Myanmar.
Strategically situated in the eastern most corner of the country, Manipur is a natural corridor to Myanmar and to the rest of South East Asia.
He was speaking at the seventh edition of Delhi Dialogue hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and other select partners from India and ASEAN countries at Oberoi Hotel here today.
The overall theme of this year's edition was "ASEAN-Indian : Shaping the Post 2015 Agenda" .
The event was particularly significant from the point of view of the North Eastern States, given the potential to develop closer links between them and ASEAN countries in several sectors.
As such, Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj had personally invited the Chief Ministers of the NE States.
Union Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj delivered the key note address at the inaugural session.
After the deliberation of the speeches of the ASEAN Cabinet Ministers, there was a panel discussion by ASEAN heads of delegations and North East Chief Ministers on 'Building Connectivity between India and ASEAN' and 'Future Direction on India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership' .
Manipur Chief Minister congratulated the Government of India and IDSA for the initiative in organizing this important event with an effort to develop the North Eastern Region of India.
He said, "It is important for us from the point of view of connectivity, employment generation, sustainable development, raising incomes, and promotion of varieties of enterprises in different sectors" .
He stated that the Act East Policy had begun to open the connectivity opportunities for the North Eastern States.
He hoped that the meeting would provide a further fillip in carrying forward the Act East Policy which is intended to improve the economic condition of the North East States.
He recalled that historically, the economy of the North East Region is very closely linked with South Asian countries.
The partition of the country in 1947 had changed these historical links.
He described that Manipur has a good agro-climatic condition with a rich bio-diversity, and an extremely fertile place with rich rice cultivation and a variety of horticulture crops.
Its forests also yield many orchids & medicinal plants besides other forest products.
Its bountiful natural beauty, with the largest natural fresh water of Loktak lake in the region surrounded by blue green hills makes it an enviable tourist destination.
The State is also endowed with an inherent sports talent and a historically rich cultural heritage.
Manipur serves as an excellent potential air link centre between North East India and South East Asia.
A flight between Imphal and Chiangmai in Thailand would take only an hour.
Highlighting some of the measures which need to be taken as part of the Act East Policy for building connectivity between India and ASEAN from Manipur's perspective; the Chief Minister raised many issues in the session.
He said that Imphal airport can be used for international air passengers & cargo with cold storage facilities.
He stated, "The proposed trilateral highway connecting Moreh with Maesot in Thailand and Asian Highway No 1 & 2 which touch Manipur can open industrial activities upon completion.
There are several portions of these roads which need to be realigned, widened and improved" .
The Chief Minister said, "Regular and reliable bus or transit service for passengers and cargo from Imphal to nearby ASEAN countries will open economic activities.
If we want our trade and economic exchange to grow, we should quickly establish this service on a regular basis" .
He also mentioned, "The towns at the border point between India and Myanmar, Moreh and Tamu, can be developed as hubs for trading.
We plan to build a New Moreh Township for this purpose for which we have already earmarked over 3000 acres of land adjacent to the existing town.
We look forward to partnerships to make it a reality" .
He informed that the railway line from Jiribam to Imphal was coming up and now in good progress.
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