Seminar On India's Act East Policy: Problems And Prospects In North East
Date : 28th – 29th January, 2016 at Tribal Research Institute, Imphal

Seminar On India's Act East Policy at Tribal Research Institute, Imphal on 28th – 29th January, 2016

TWO DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR ON INDIA’S ACT EAST POLICY: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS IN NORTH EAST INDIA

A Two day (28th – 29th January, 2016) National Seminar on India’s Act East Policy: Problems and Prospects in North East India were held at the Conference Hall of Tribal Research Institute, Imphal. The seminar was organised by the Department of Political Science, Indira Gandhi National tribal University - Regional Campus, Manipur (IGNTU-RCM) and sponsored by Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi.

Dr. Ng Ngalengnam, Coordinator of the seminar and Assistant Professor of Political Science, IGNTU-RCM in his welcome cum key note speech recalled the historical development of the policy and its present development under the Prime Minister, Shari Narendra Modi with the principles of a stronger ties in Trade and Commerce, Culture and Connectivity commonly known as 3Cs and various other areas with the South East Asian Countries. He stated that the policy which was originally conceived as an economic initiative has gained even political strategic and Cultural Dimensions.

Seminar On India's Act East Policy at Tribal Research Institute, Imphal on 28th – 29th January, 2016

While delivering the lecture, he shares his apprehension that the small state like Manipur located at the bordering areas of South East Asian Countries will be easily dominated by the system of Act East Policy. In this juncture, Manipur has a great role to play for both successful of the vision as well as to defend herself from its possible anti welfare wave. Further, Bangladesh, Manipur, Myanmar, etc are the parties to stand together directly in every step toward fulfilling this vision.

The cordial relationship among the people of the bordering areas of these countries is essential for developing both surface and air connectivity. To cite an example, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga tribes in Manipur could post a threat to boycott all those ongoing central sponsored projects in the hill areas of Manipur. Such a move could humble the smooth functioning of the policy including infrastructure construction and surface trading.

The Inaugural function of the seminar was graced by Shari Ajaneesh Kumar, Deputy Director General, ICWA, New Delhi. He gave a brief outline of the Indian Council of World Affairs and its activities. In regards to the seminar, he shares the necessity of organising such events in this crucial period of India’s Act East Policy. This will help in understanding the regions and also the intervention of the Government of India to strengthen the policy.

Seminar On India's Act East Policy at Tribal Research Institute, Imphal on 28th – 29th January, 2016

Prof S Mangi Singh, Department of Political Science, Manipur University was the Guest of Honous of the function. While delivering his speech, he shares his concern with the policy even though the name has change from ‘Look East to Act East’. He concern was mainly in relation to the role of North East Region in the process of the Policy. He emphasised that the region need to be capacitated in order to benefit the fruits of Act East, else it will merely be a transit route with no opportunity to be part of the process.

The function concludes with a vote of thanks from Dr. Sohiamlung Dangmei, Assistant Professor of Political Science, IGNTU-RCM.

The Inaugural session was followed by technical session. The first session was chaired by Prof. S Mangi Singh, Department of Political Science, Manipur University. The paper presenters are Dr. N Somorendro, Department of Political Science, Manipur College, Dr Rinkahao Horam, Department of Political Science, Modern College, Imphal, and Dr. Shimreingnam Hungyo, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul.