IMPHAL, November 28: Proper connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN countries will ensure Manipur to become an important hub in the region, said minister counselor (Commercial), Thai Embassy Tharadol Thongrung today.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day long international conference on `East-West corridor: The Linkage of Look East Policy to ASEAN` held at the MIMS conference hall, Manipur University.
Improvement in connectivity will also mean more activities between the countries, he said before adding that Manipur in particular will emerge as the socio-economic strategic link to the ASEAN countries for India which is prominently featured in India`™s Look East Policy and endeavours to encourage connectivity with the ASEAN countries.
He further lauded the organisers for such conference and said in the near future, there would be greater scope and opportunities for sharing of ideas, research inputs, creation of new knowledge and dissemination and avenues for initiating joint academic activities between Manipur and the ASEAN countries.
Coordinator International Relations and Affairs, MU, Dr L Jibon Kumar Sharma highlighted that the objective of organising the conference is to explore, examine and understand the implications and insights of linking the ASEAN community with the NE India in general and Manipur in particular.
He further said that ASEAN is emerging as an important economic community in the world and in the near future ASEAN would be taking a milestone step forward towards strengthening socio economic integration that would further boost the movement of the people, capital and goods and services in the region in the long run.
To further strengthened the existing academic collaboration and association between Manipur University and Surindra Rajabhat University, Thailand an initiative has been taken up jointly under a project to link universities and institutions in ASEAN regions.
He said this will facilitate in understanding and knowing each other, exchange of students and faculty members and also undertaking jointly research and project works between the universities.
Today`™s conference was also attended by delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
A cultural troop of Thailand also showcased their culture dance. Vice Chancellor of MU, Prof H N K Sarma, Registrar of MU, Prof N Lokendra Singh and other professors also attended the conference.