GUWAHATI, Feb 26 � To promote substantive dialogues on foreign policy issues, the Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP) organised the second edition of the �Maitree Summit: Young Leaders� Dialogue for Peace 2015� here from February 18 to 20, a press release stated.
Supported by the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, Assam Tourism, Royal Group of Institutions and Numaligarh Refinery Limited, the summit was convened against the backdrop of the emerging relations between India and Myanmar as India�s �Look East Policy� transforms itself into �Act East Policy�. The meeting reiterated close and cordial strategic ties built and sustained by both the countries during the last few decades.
The summit hosted a ten-member delegation from the House of Lords and the House of Commons, UK, led by Baroness D�Souza, the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, eight speakers from India and seven speakers from Myanmar. At the inauguration of the summit, MP and YFFP secretary Gaurav Gogoi set the tone of the event by expressing the significance of a healthy bond between India and its eastern neighbour. �North-east India is a bridge to the rest of the eastern world and we need to realise the importance of the role of neighbouring states in India�s international politics. This would signify the concept of democracy and diplomacy in action,� he said.
Scott Furssedonn-Wood, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, expressed his support for a prosperous and secure friendship between India and Myanmar, development of proper infrastructure and unity of the young minds as some of the key requirements for a bright future. Baroness D�Souza spoke on the empowerment of the youth for the responsible building of a strong relationship.
Jyotirmoy Chakravarty, Police Commissioner of Guwahati, expressed his concern over the problems of insurgency faced along the international border by both India and Myanmar and emphasized on multi-road connectivity, trade and commerce to overcome the challenges faced by the two nations.
The meet also saw discussions on the geo-political importance of India and Myanmar, besides the role of trade and business in improving the ties between the two countries.
