India's Northeast will play crucial role as gateway to Southeast Asia, says junior external affairs minister

Speaking on strengthening global linkages at the 94th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, Dr Singh said, “We want to establish a regional network of business and create a symbiotic and natural relation.

"Northeast India is the gateway of India to Southeast Asia, and we need to explore and exploit the possibilities. Thus, we need strong international partnerships and policies to put forward the northeast in the coming future,” said the union minister who hails from Manipur in the Northeast.

“We need to emphasise on the 3Cs, i.e. Connectivity, Commerce and Culture. We need to look for a proposed review of CECA with Singapore and connect with the people all around the globe.

"We are also exploring and building connectivity going beyond physical connect, where international air connection remains one of the prime focuses. India is on its way to become the factory and office of the world with the northeast playing a crucial role,” he added.

To a query on the vision for Northeast, the minister said, “Northeast was seen differently a few years ago but now under our PM’s vision the global perception of Northeast has transitioned from landlocked to land linked.

"We are endeavouring to bring up local potential through the Skill Indian Mission.”

Speaking on India-Myanmar trade relations, Minister for Commerce of Myanmar Aung Naing Oo said, “Myanmar and India have been in a very close relationship with each other with respect to trade and tourism. It is growing rapidly and its post-Covid economy has also improved."

"We wish to engage with different countries and want success for both countries. We are diversifying the use of currency from nearby countries to foster bilateral ties.

We look forward to constructively walking together to recover our economies with effective collaboration,” he said.

Expressing his views on ‘India@2047- Role of East and Northeast,’ Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.), said, “India has been changing since 2014. Our country is getting digitised now. "

"We can now see mobile phones in every village we visit. They have good connectivity. Today, wherever we go and show our passport, we are respected. Initiatives are in place to partner with start-ups,” he said.

Addressing the importance of quality, the minister said, “If you need to succeed the Chinese, then you need to make goods of that quality. Markets demand quality. If you believe in quality, you will triumph in the market. India has gained G20 Presidency, so we should set such benchmarks for the people.”

In an exclusive session, noted Indian actor Boman Irani shared his own life experiences. He elucidated his journey from having a career in photography to theatre and in acting.

“It is not always that money will make you happy. Don’t think about money, persevere and focus on what you actually wish to do,” said the actor.

(Reporting by Ayush Gupta)