As a former native of Bharat’s North East, I have promoted the region in globally renowned travel publications. I am often asked the question, “Why is this part of Bharat not in the centre stage—politically, socially, and economically?”
The answer isn’t all that difficult to comprehend. Apart from being remote, the region was meted out a stepmotherly treatment by the previous dispensations in New Delhi. People of North East Bharat have for long suffered terribly at the hands of dreaded militant groups like NSCN, ULFA, MNF, and what have you…….
However, with the advent of Prime Minister Modi, Bharat’s North East, which was the focus of the last G20 Summit in Bharat, is aligning with the nation’s ambitious Act East Policy. The region is on the cusp of revolutionary change.
Below are the excerpts of a free-flowing conversation on the Act East Policy with a native of North East – Mihir Bhattacharjee (an ex-BSF Armed Forces Personnel) who is also one of Bharat’s “Star Sewak” or “Viksit Bharat Ambassador” with Subhasish Chakraborty:
Q: What was the genesis of the Act East Policy?
A: As a follow-up to India’s Look East Policy introduced in the early 1990s, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made “Act East” a launch pad for his government’s more focused engagement with East Asia. The Look East Policy earlier concentrated on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan. Still, it was later realised that Bharat’s outreach to the East could not be confined to ASEAN and Japan, nor could it be confined to the economic sphere.
Consequently, the Modi Government decided to put more emphasis on improving Bharat’s relations with ASEAN and other East Asian countries by enlarging the core interests of the region, including the immediate requirements of national and regional security. Thus, the Look East and Act East policies highlight Bharat’s military, political and economic interests and those of regional partners in the East.
Q: Will the Act East Policy help fulfil Bharat’s aspiration to play the role of a “Vishwaguru” or World Teacher on the global stage?
A: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focussed on enlarging an earlier Bharatiya mindset confined to South Asia to include the entire East and spreading to West Asia and Africa. The Indian Ocean Rim is a strategic link from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca, making it a highly volatile maritime zone. Prime Minister Modi understands that India and the Indian Ocean are appropriate halfway points between West and Southeast Asia.
Thus, all these developments have prompted India to revitalise its role in the East as a promoter of economies and an adequate security provider. Bharat’s outreach to the East has witnessed a significant transformation that does not depend solely on one or two countries or even ASEAN.
Thus, the Act East Policy has a very strong and effective agenda that can ensure peace and progress in the East and the whole World in the true spirit of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam—”the world is one family.”
Q: How significant is the Act East Policy for Bharat’s North East?
A: The northeast of Bharat was the focal point regarding industrialisation during British rule. However, with the 1947 partition of Bharat, the Northeastern region became isolated. Due to the stepmotherly treatment meted out by previous dispensations, the region became economically weak and vulnerable to the rest of India.
Prime Minister Modi is aware that no other region of Bharat can match the North East in terms of natural resource availability and international border. The North East of Bharat shares borders with South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal and with Southeast and East Asian countries like Myanmar and China.
North East of Bharat is the strategic link of Bharat’s connectivity with Southeast and East Asia. The Act East Policy is tailor-made for North East Bharat so that the region can be developed as a base for Bharat’s burgeoning economic links with Southeast Asia and countries like Bangladesh and China.
Q: There are serious question marks over North East Bharat’s connectivity and infrastructure. What is your take on the matter?
A: Being a native of the East, I have no hesitation in saying that road, rail and air connectivity has to be strengthened. Railway connectivity has improved dramatically, with all the state capitals connected by rail with Mainland Bharat.
The Government of India, through its nodal agency Mdoner ( Ministry for the Development of North Eastern Region), has already invested Rs 2 Lakh crore in road projects, with the aim of connecting every village and thereby driving prosperity.
Regarding air connectivity, the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, was launched in 2016. It allows common citizens easy access to aviation services. Very soon, all the North Eastern State airports will be internationally linked under the UDAN 4.0 Scheme.
Q: The Indian government has been trying to bridge the isolation of North Eastern states through the Act East Policy (AEP). What is the situation like at the ground level, as there is a perception that the region is terrorist-infested?
A: Being an ex-armed forces personnel, the question of the very existence of militant groups in Bharat’s North East is null and void as their backbone has been crushed. Caders of terror outfits like ULFA, NSCN, MNF, etc…..are laying down arms and returning to the mainstream.
For much too long, the central government in Delhi has treated this region like a stepmother. The region has long been in splendid isolation regarding industrial Development and wealth creation. As a result of this neglect, the pent-up anger, frustration, and aggravation of decade after decade of misgovernance spiralled into one of the biggest security concerns that the government of India was faced with.
However, after a thorough analysis of the North Eastern psyche, good sense has prevailed. Today, there is an exclusive Ministry for the Development of the North Eastern region, and the present Narendra Modi-led BJP government has inducted as many as five Cabinet Ministers from Bharat’s North East.
Q: The North East is called Bharat’s Wild East or Bharat’s Marlboro Land. Is the phenomenon of tourism likely to play a decisive role under the ambit of the ambitious Act East Policy?
A: Certainly, yes. There has been a growing awareness on the part of the dispensation that one of the most effective ways to combat terrorism in the North East of India doesn’t necessarily mean crushing rebellions with brutal paramilitary forces. Prime Minister Modi understands well the niche role that Tourism can play in eradicating terrorism. It has finally dawned upon the powers that be in Delhi, and for the first time in many years, there is a proper Tourism Policy exclusively meant for the North East.
The North Eastern States’ free booth at the World’s largest Tourism Fair, the International Tourism Mart, Berlin (ITB), indicates the government’s efforts to promote tourism in this part of the World.
Q: Many Geo-political experts think that the Sela Tunnel (the World’s highest twin-lane tunnel, 13000 feet) will be a jewel in the crown of India and a perfect riposte to China’s hegemonistic tendencies, given the Chinese Red Army’s claim that Bharat’s North Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the tunnel is located, is their territory. What is your take on this matter?
A: Geo-political experts believe that the Sela Tunnel will be a “Game Changer” for not just the Indian Army, viz-a-viz the capability to traverse through unforgiving Himalayan terrain in the harsh winter months, but also the tourism boom aftermath, that the tunnel is expected to generate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly reiterated that “it is important to have civilian population in border areas.” With his government offering both financial and logistical help for comprehensive border area development, a tourism boom is in the offing post-Sela tunnel opening.
Bharat’s “Geo-Strategic Tourism Mission” in the remote North Eastern Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to reshape the World’s imagination through people-to-people contacts. The Modi doctrine demonstrates how tourism would play the role of a catalyst, bringing peace and stability to a region as strategic as the Tawang the Angtse plateau.
Thus, with Bharat on the threshold of global greatness and with the Act East Policy being implemented seriously at the ground level, finding reflections in mega strategic infrastructure projects like the Sela Tunnel—a whopping Rs.700 crore affair—the World is waiting with bated breath to see how Bharat’s Act East Policy in the North East unfurls at the global altar!
