The external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday chaired an Interactive Session on the Act East Policy with Chief Ministers of north eastern states. This is an important initiative and will help to fast-track the process for implementing act policy in true sense. Such meetings should be organized regularly so that policy is a continued process and do not remain a utopian dream. The NE states are important stakeholders of India’s Act East Policy. Infact NE region is the gateway to South East Asia.
However the region continues to face major connectivity bottlenecks. Despite tall promises, the government of India has not taken adequate measures to realize the dream of fulfilling the act east policy. It remains a great potential and are yet to be properly nurtured. Greater connectivity and economic integration of India’s North East with South East Asia will change the face of region. There has to be continued development of relevant infrastructure both within the NE states and at international borders. This will enhance trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties. In order to ensure success of the act east policy, the government of India should first of all improve road, rail and air connectivity in the NE states. Unless it is done the act east policy will never be success.