DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that if India has to successfully engage with the countries across the eastern borders, “it must have strong bases in the areas proximal to eastern borders which comprise the Northeast States.”
Jitendra Singh was addressing the Asia Pacfic Youth Exchange (APYE) meet along with the Vice President of the Republic of Philippines, Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo and the Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the vision of “Act East”, thus imparting a new push to our approach and focus to our relations with neighbouring countries through “Act East” policy,” he said.
With its geographical position and rich natural as well as agro-climatic resources access to the growing ASEAN market is essential for optimum utilization of trade and business opportunities, said Singh.
He recalled that on the intervention of Prime Minister Modi, the Indo-Bangladesh Agreement was successfully accomplished resulting in the exchange of enclaves thus facilitating easier and cost-effective access to Bangladesh and other regions.
“In the times to come sustainable development goals (SDG) will be our guide for integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions of development,” he asserted.