‘A Tri-National Conference of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar on Regional Cooperation through Mizoram’ was organized at ICFAI University of Mizoram on Wednesday by the Department of Political Science, ICFAI University in collaboration with State Planning and Programme Implementation Department
Governor of Mizoram Kummanam Rajasekharan graced the event as Chief Guest.
In his speech, the Governor said that the north-eastern region holds a very strategic place for India in terms of geo-politics in South Asia but is also characterized by low levels of income, low employment guarantees, low industrialization and overall low levels of development.
This was stated in an official press statement.
He said that the economic reforms like that of the 1990s seemed to have little impact on the overall development of the region and therefore, one has to find new development trajectories to help boost the region.
The Governor said that the tri-nation conference presents an opportunity to discuss collectively on cross border trade, security of the region and drug trafficking.
He emphasized that cultural exchange programmes could also facilitate relations between the three nations as there are many shared cultural and historical backgrounds between them.
State Minister for Planning and Programme Implementation, Lalsawta, who was the guest of honour said that the conference will provide a platform to discuss on regional cooperation between the three countries and the deliberations will pave a way for better cooperation.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhyaya, former Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Afghanistan and Syria highlighted the significance of the Northeast India and in particular Mizoram to the region.
He suggested investments in education, health infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), cultural exchange, tourism, food processing, environment protection and connectivity for the region.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India suggested improvement in connectivity for viable commercial activities and investment in education infrastructure.
He also said the investments in addition to relaxation of rules for visitors will eventually attract more tourists for the State.