Is the Northeast Central to the Success of the Act East Policy?
If the interest to engage and build connections of prosperity is through the people-to-people route, it must take into account the aspirations, tastes and preferences of the people. It must also keep with the times.
The Look/Act East policy was aimed at finishing the insurgency problem in the Northeast by way of opening up the region to Southeast Asia. Credit: Reuters
Trade10/Mar/2021
The recent visit of external affairs minister S. Jaishankar to Guwahati with the Japanese ambassador to review a Japan-funded water supply project ushered in yet another sporadic cacophony on the Northeastâs centrality to looking east. A few days later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi fantastically proclaimed his vision of Assam and the region powering the growth of India. These jingoistic proclamations make many folks in the region believe the region to be central to Indiaâs Look and Act East policy. Many (even reasonably informed persons) believe that it was formulated with a view to develop the region. It is hardly surprising that this falsehood has raised unrealistic expectations.