Act East Policy: The Story So Far

Now with Central government pushing the Act East policy, the Northeast is witnessing a change

- Manjum Mahanta

The Look East Policy of India was launched by former Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao, in 1991, with the aim to shift the country’s trading focus from the West and neighbouring countries to the booming South East Asian countries and Northeast of India. It was upgraded by the present government as the ‘Act East Policy’ after the NDA Government came into power in 2014. The successor Act East Policy, with special focus on trade, connectivity and security, was unveiled by Narendra Modi at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in 2014, held in Myanmar. The policy aims at having a multiplier effect across a range of industries by providing access to new markets, especially in the sectors of agricultural produce and traditional products as well as strengthening information technology and internet connectivity.

Assam being the gateway for the Northeast, the Assam Government even opened the Act East Policy Department to ensure the implementation of the policy in a time-bound manner. The department hopes to facilitate an environment for investment and rapid industrialisation in the State. Sazzad Alam, Deputy Secretary of the Act East Policy Department, while speaking to Eclectic NorthEast, shared, ‘As of now, the focus is on connectivity from the states of Northeast to nearby countries. Most of the routes have been declared. The construction of the roads is going on, but they are yet to be completed. Air connectivity to Bangladesh and Thailand has started from Assam. Manipur is also connected to Myanmar by air now. Water connectivity to Bangladesh has already begun and many more routes to come soon.’