Officials pose for a photo during the National Executive Meeting in New Delhi on August 10.
Dimapur, August 10 (MExN): The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Monday discussed the opportunities for the Northeast, particularly Nagaland, under the Centre's Act East Policy at its National Executive Meeting in New Delhi, with party leaders calling for greater connectivity, cross-border trade and industrial development in the region.
The meeting brought together senior leaders and representatives of the party to deliberate on organisational, political and developmental matters.
LJP (Ram Vilas) National Secretary S Richard Humtsoe, who attended the meeting along with Nagaland MLA and Leader of the Legislature Party Dr Sukhato A Sema, MLA and Chief Whip Naiba Konyak, and state president Viloto Pukhato, highlighted the importance of the Look East Policy initiated under former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao.
Humtsoe said the policy marked a significant shift in India's engagement with Southeast and East Asia and was subsequently transformed into the Act East Policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with greater emphasis on connectivity, commerce, security and strategic partnerships.
"For the North East, and particularly for Nagaland, the Act East Policy presents a historic opportunity to transform our geographical proximity into an economic and strategic advantage," he said.
He urged the party to champion greater connectivity, cross-border trade, tourism, agriculture and food processing while ensuring the meaningful integration of the Northeast into India's Act East framework.
"Nagaland can and must emerge as a vital bridge between India and Southeast Asia," Humtsoe said.
He expressed confidence that under the leadership of LJP (Ram Vilas) national president and Union Cabinet Minister Chirag Paswan, the party would continue to articulate the aspirations of the Northeast and advance its "rightful place" in India's Act East vision.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to Paswan's leadership and to strengthening the voice of Nagaland and the Northeast in the national arena while working for the welfare, progress and development of the people.
Speaking at the meeting, Pukhato expressed gratitude to Paswan for his "visionary and dynamic leadership", saying the party was moving forward with renewed strength, discipline and commitment while carrying forward the legacy and ideals of its founder Ram Vilas Paswan.
Pukhato also appealed to Paswan, who is the Union Cabinet Minister, to facilitate the early release of the first instalment for food processing industries in Nagaland.
He said timely support for the sector would help create employment opportunities, promote entrepreneurship and contribute towards making unemployed youth in Nagaland economically self-reliant.
On behalf of the Nagaland state unit, Pukhato assured the national president of its "fullest cooperation and unwavering commitment" to strengthening the organisation, particularly across the Northeast.
