Leishemba Sanajaoba pushes for comprehensive rail, air connectivity in North East
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 23 2018:
Acknowledging the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhancing India's foreignpolicy, titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba asserted that all the States of North East should plan for comprehensive rail and air connectivity in tandem with Act East policy.
Speaking as guest of honour at the annual day celebration of Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) held today at Mumbai, Leishemba Sanajaoba stated that the shifting of 'Look East Policy' to the present 'Act East Policy' towards south east Asian countries signifies that now India would engage proactively with countries in the East.
But no significant progress has been seen and no major business deal has come out, he pointed out.
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He stated that three pillars on which regional integration hinge are culture, commerce and connectivity and the historical linkages between these countries in terms of culture and commerce are well known.
But the implementation of the third pillar (connectivity) has become crucial in affirming the plausibility of strengthening regional ties.
There is a need to improve connectivity through transport, technology and cultural ties, he opined.
The titular king also observed that India needs to formulate short term, medium term as well as long term economic policies both with the member States bilaterally and ASEAN as a whole.
He went on to state that North East India should not be the gateway for ASEAN rather be the point of convergence where trade facilitation between mainland India with ASEAN will be possible.
He emphasised the need for immediate establishment of financial institutions in order to facilitate money exchange and financial transfers in all the trading points as well as in all the major growing trade hubs in the region.
The function was also attended by titular king of Tripura, Pradyot Manikya Debbarma.
It may be mentioned that Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India formed in 1998 is the only PAN India trade body of licenced multimodal transport operators in shipping and logistics industry with current membership strength in excess of 250 MTOs registered with DG Shipping.