Indo-Myanmar synergy discussed : More people to people contact mooted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2014: A round table conference christened 'Asian Confluence on Indo Myanmar Synergy in Socio-Economic and Cultural Development: The Voice of the Third Space' was held this evening at Hotel Imphal conference hall under the aegis the Research and Strategic Development Organisation for the North East (RESDOR-NE) .

The round table conference was chaired by former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam president (RESDOR-NE) .

PP Srivastava, former Advisor to Governor of Manipur and former member NEC New Delhi, Sabyasachi Dutta, Director Asian Confluence Centre Shillong, Alemtemshi Jamir, Ex-Chief Secretary, Nagaland Government, Professor N Mohendro, Prof Amar Yumnam of Economics Department, MU, Professor MC Arun, Anthropology Department, MU, RK Shivchandra, president Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance Manipur, Myo Myint Aung, language instructor, Centre for Myanmar Studies, MU and others attended the conference.

Former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam at the round table conference

Radhabinod said that the theme of the round table is to explore the space for the common people for synergy between North East India specially Manipur and Nagaland with Myanmar on socio-economic and cultural development through India's Look East Policy.

Even as different agencies of the Central and State Government have been working hard to find a good platform for cooperation and exchange on trade and commerce, industries, art and culture, history, healthcare and other areas, most of the efforts taken up till today are concentrated at the level of Government to Government or Government to business house due to which it is important for the existence of third space for people to people exchange which comprises of small business organisations, individuals for active and fruitful exchange, cooperation and synergy, he said.

The third space has been hardly explored and exploited and the round table is a step towards exploring the third space for development, cooperation, exchange and synergy between India and ASEAN countries specially with Myanmar starting at the grassroots.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Myanmar tomorrow for attending 12th ASEAN-India summit and the 9th East Asian summit would be a big booster towards improving connectivity in the region.

The former Chief Minister added that the people of Manipur and Nagaland need to be prepared to introspect and explore to find out their weaknesses and shortcomings as well as their strength and resources and therefore need to act speedily as time is running out.

Radhabinod called upon people of the region to extract maximum benefits from the Look East Policy.

PP Srivastava said that the people of North East region though divided on ethnic lines have five gems among themselves which are truthfulness, honesty, transparency, interest of common people above his or her individual interest and decision making system of the people.

The people of the region need to find out the weakness among themselves and unite as one and promote same value system for peace, prosperity and development of the region.

The next Asian Confluence would be held at Shillong on December 5 and 6 to take up a time bound action plan as the Look East Policy is now 'Look.

act East Policy', he said.