GUWAHATI, Oct 13 - The Government of India has chalked out a composite long-term plan for successful implementation of the much talked about Act East Policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is monitoring implementation of the plan on the ground.
Highly placed sources in the Prime Minister�s Office (PMO) told The Assam Tribune that the composite plan for implementation of the Act East Policy would include improvement of relations with the neighbouring countries, augmentation of communication network, development of infrastructure in the North East region, etc.
Sources said that due to efforts of the Government of India, the country�s relations with Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have improved considerably, while efforts are also on to improve ties with Cambodia. Relations with Bangladesh has also improved, which is vital for improvement of communication to the North East through the neighbouring country.
Sources said that the second major point would be development of communication network, and work on the road connecting India and Thailand via Myanmar is on. A few patches of the road in Myanmar would have to be improved considerably for free movement of vehicles and the Government of India is likely to offer assistance to the Government of that country for it. The Imphal�Mandalay bus service is also in the pipeline and it is likely to start within the next few months.
Communication to the North East via Bangladesh is also vital for the development of the region and the Government of India is working in this direction. Sources pointed out that improvement of communication would also improve people to people contacts, which is vital for the success of the Act East Policy.
On air connectivity to the North East, sources admitted that the Guwahati-Bangkok flight was not very successful. But at the same time, sources pointed out that successful implementation of the Act East Policy would result in overall development of the region, which in turn, would result in the need for introduction of international flights. Moreover, if the North East is developed as a tourism and trade hub, international flights would become commercially viable, sources pointed out. Sources further said that the success of the Act East Policy would remove the feeling of isolation from the minds of the people of the region.
The third major point of the composite plan is infrastructure development in the North East including development of Smart Cities, creation of industrial hubs, warehouses etc. There is need for improvement of law and order situation in the region and having a secure border with Myanmar for improvement of trade with the South East Asian countries, sources pointed out.
