Connectivity with the ASEAN to play defining role in shared prosperity

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Government of India under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi has put a renewed thrust on Act East policy which has resulted into fast-paced growth and brought about paradigm shift to development narrative in Assam and other Northeast states.

Inaugurating a conclave on Act East through Northeast in presence of the ambassadors and high commissioners of ASEAN countries in Guwahati on May 27, chief minister Sarma said that development narrative generated by the Act East policy has given a new hope to the people of Northeast to align themselves with the development initiatives of the government.

He also said that in the backdrop of Act East policy, his government is striving to position Assam as the expressway and gateway to ASEAN bloc.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that the conclave, which is a part of several initiatives of the Act East policy affairs department, Government of Assam to brainstorm on various aspects of Act East policy and strengthen the roadmap for leveraging the opportunity of Assam’s geo-strategic location to use the state as a springboard for economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity and addressing the issues for seamless movement of trade and investment.

“The prime minister whose aim is to ‘Act East’ and ‘act fast’ for India’s Northeast, has given new hope, energy and force to the people of Northeast,” he said. He added that the prime minister has taken the central government to the doorsteps of the Northeast India with several development projects.

Sarma also said that Centre’s continued attention to Northeast and its people has proved that the region is not the periphery of India, it is in fact the centre of fastest emerging nations of South East Asia which has the potential to become the link for the emergence of trade and commerce with these nations.

Speaking on Northeast region’s geographical proximity with ASEAN countries, Sarma said: “We have no less than 5300 kms of international borders with a host of countries like Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Northeast is truly India’s Gateway to Southeast Asia, and I believe the emerging connectivity with the ASEAN nations will play a defining role in enhancing our shared prosperity.”

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