Dimapur, March 13 (MExN): North East Christian University (NECU) held a round table dialogue with a team from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 12 to deliberate on North East India’s role in India’s Act East Policy (AEP).
The MEA team was led by Aparna Ray (IFS), Joint Secretary, Policy Planning and Research Division, Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs. She was joined by Col K. Shanaz, SRF, CCCS; Col Rahul Mittal, SRF, CCCS; Lt. Col Abhishek Acharya, SRF, CCCS; Lt. Col Ravi Chandra, Boundary Cell; Lt. Col Stuti Sharma, PPR Division; Pragya Pratishtha, AD, CCCS; Veeresh Kanduri, Consultant, PPR Division; Dr. Jayshree Borah, Consultant, CCCS; Shreya Mishra, Consultant, CCCS; and Dr. Apila Sangtam, CCCS.
Administrative staff of the university along with faculty members of the International Relations (IR) Programme attended the meeting.
According to a press release, the central theme of the dialogue was India’s Act East Policy. Discussions covered the impact of the political clout in Myanmar on Nagaland and the AEP at large, and how the policy has fared so far in the state.
Participants also discussed trade and connectivity, cultural connect, and the tribal dynamics of Nagaland and Myanmar, and exchanged ideas on ways to strengthen these areas. One of the key points of discussion was the implications of withdrawing the Free Movement Regime (FMR), during which representatives from NECU suggested reconsidering reassessing the decisions made.
Facilitation of people-to-people connections between the region was also highlighted. It was suggested that decisions of the Centre should be made keeping in mind the larger interest of people in the periphery on both sides since policies impact them first hand.
The session was chaired by Dr. Keneisenuo Solo, Coordinator of the International Relations Programme. Prof. Dr. Darlando T. Khathing, Pro-Chancellor of NECU, delivered the welcome address and spoke on the significance of NECU and its strategic location in the context of the Act East Policy. He also shared how the International Relations Programme, which is offered only by NECU in Nagaland, facilitates such engagement.
