Academicians study East-West Corridor
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2014 : A two-day international conference on "East-West Corridor: The Linkage of Look East Policy to ASEAN" was opened today at MIMS conference hall, Manipur University.

The conference is being jointly organised by Manipur University and Surindra Rajabhat University, Thailand.

Surindra Rajabhat University President Dr Achara Phanurat, MU Vice-Chancellor Prof H Nandakumar and Vice-President of Build Bright University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Dr Dy Davuth attended the inaugural session as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking about the conference, MU International Rela- tions and Affairs co-ordinator Dr L Jibon Kumar said that academicians would read out papers on the opportunities and challenges of the linkage which would be provided by proposed East-West Corridor.

The two universities jointly organised a similar international conference on November 29, 2012 .

The conference being held today is a sequel of the previous one.

Minister Counsellor (Commercial) of the Thai Embassy Tharadol Thongrung said that his country is keen to hold such gatherings regularly.

Students from Thailand presenting a traditional dance item

After some years, Imphal would evolve as the commercial hub of the entire North East India and it would transform itself as a model city.

By then, Imphal would surpass Guwahati in terms of commercial signifiance, Tharadol Thongrung said.

In addition to giving a power point presentation on East-West Corridor, Tharadol elucidated on the air and land connectivity among ASEAN countries and the growing importance of Imphal in the whole scheme of things.

Due agreements have been already signed between Myanmar, Thailand and India for enhanced terrestrial connectivity.

Just as India is pursuing its Look East Policy, Thailand has a corresponding policy called the Look West Policy.

Of all the Thai delegates participating in the ongoing Manipur Sangai Festival 2014, 40 per cent came through Myanmar on land routes and this is a positive sign, Tharadol remarked.

He wished the conference a grand success apart from expressing keen desire for strengthening academic partnership between the two countries.

Academicians and scholars from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and India are participating in the conference.

As a part of the inaugural function, students of Surindra Rajabhat University presented a traditional dance item.

It is reported that students of the Thailand university would also perform at the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 .