IMPHAL, January 28: A two-day National Seminar on India’s Act East Policy: Problems and Prospects in North East India began today at the conference hall of Tribal Research Institute, Imphal.
The seminar is being organised by Department of Political Science, Indira Gandhi National tribal University – Regional Campus, Manipur (IGNTU-RCM) under the sponsorship of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi.
Dr. Ng Ngalengnam, coordinator of the seminar and Assistant Professor of Political Science, IGNTU-RCM in his welcome cum key note speech recalled the historical development of the policy and its present development under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the principles of a stronger ties in trade & commerce, culture and connectivity commonly known as 3Cs and various other areas with the South East Asian Countries.
He stated that the policy which was originally conceived as an economic initiative has gained even political strategic and cultural dimensions.
He expressed apprehension that a small state like Manipur located at the bordering areas of South East Asian Countries will be easily dominated by the system of Act East Policy.
In this juncture, Manipur has a great role to play for successful of the vision as well as to defend herself from its possible anti-welfare wave. Bangladesh, Manipur, Myanmar, etc are the parties to stand together directly in every step toward fulfilling this vision. The cordial relationship among the people of the bordering areas of these countries is essential for developing both surface and air connectivity, he observed.
Ajaneesh Kumar, Deputy Director General, ICWA, New Delhi, who was present at the inaugural function, gave a brief outline of the Indian Council of World Affairs and its activities.
He stressed on the need for organising such events in this crucial period of India’s Act East Policy as this will help in understanding the regions and also the intervention of the Government of India to strengthen the policy.
Attending as guest of honour, Prof S Mangi Singh, Department of Political Science, Manipur University shared his concern with the policy even though the name has changed from ‘Look East to Act East’.
He emphasised that the north east region need to be capacitated in order to benefit the fruits of Act East, else it will merely be a transit route with no opportunity to be part of the process.
The function concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Sohiamlung Dangmei, Assistant Professor of Political Science, IGNTU-RCM.
A technical session was also conducted at the end of the function. The first session was chaired by Prof. S Mangi Singh, Department of Political Science, Manipur University.
The paper presenters are Dr. N Somorendro, Department of Political Science, Manipur College; Dr Rinkahao Horam, Department of Political Science, Modern College and Dr. Shimreingnam Hungyo, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul.