Source: The Hindu
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the northeastern area of India as a “gateway to Southeast Asia” a few weeks after Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim administration, called it “landlocked.”
Act East, BIMSTEC, and “neighbourhood” first are just a few of the important Indian initiatives that center on the northeast. Five of our land neighbors are in the northeast. Its borders are the intersection between ASEAN and the Indian subcontinent.
Highlighted the northeast’s increasing significance as a travel destination, a gateway to Southeast Asia, and a contributor to the global workplace. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, which was designed to link the northeast with Myanmar’s port of Sittwe, and a trilateral highway that seeks to link India and Thailand via Myanmar.
Model Question:
“The Northeastern region of India holds immense strategic and economic potential in India’s Act East Policy. Discuss how the region can act as a gateway to Southeast Asia and the challenges that hinder this potential.”
Model Answer:
The Northeastern Region (NER) of India, comprising eight states, lies at the convergence of South and Southeast Asia, sharing over 5,300 km of international borders with China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Under India’s Act East Policy, NER is envisioned as the bridgehead for greater economic integration and connectivity with the ASEAN region.
Strategic and Economic Importance of NER as a Gateway:
- Geographical Advantage: Proximity to Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and beyond. Acts as a land bridge between India and ASEAN.
- International Connectivity Projects: India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway. Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project (KMTTP). Asian Highway-1 passes through the region. Border Haats with Bangladesh and Myanmar
- Trade and Economic Integration: Access to new markets for NER products (handloom, handicrafts, horticulture). Development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).
- Cultural and Ethnic Linkages: Shared ethnic ties with tribes in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. Promotes people-to-people contact and cultural diplomacy
- Tourism and Eco-diplomacy: Unique biodiversity and tribal culture attract cross-border eco-tourism. Promotes soft power projection in the region
Challenges Hindering NER’s Gateway Role:
- Infrastructural Bottlenecks: Poor Road, rail, and digital connectivity. Delays in completion of projects like IMT Highway & Kaladan project
- Insurgency and Security Concerns: Presence of militant groups and porous borders (especially with Myanmar). Cross-border arms/drug smuggling
- Geopolitical Factors: China’s influence in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. Tensions with China over Arunachal Pradesh affect regional strategy
- Bureaucratic Delays and Inter-ministerial Coordination: Overlap in responsibilities between Ministry of DoNER, MEA, MHA, and state governments
- Alienation and Trust Deficit: Historical neglect and lack of integration with the Indian mainland. Issues of identity, autonomy, and representation
Way Forward:
- Accelerate infrastructure: Fast-track highway, rail, and digital connectivity projects under the PM Gati Shakti plan.
- Cross-border collaboration: Strengthen ties with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand for border trade and transit.
- Improve local participation: Involve tribal communities and civil society in Act East initiatives.
- Security and diplomacy: Deepen cooperation with ASEAN through Quad and BIMSTEC, while ensuring border security.
- Promote sustainable development and tourism respecting local cultures.
The Northeastern region is not merely a periphery but a strategic fulcrum for India’s engagement with Southeast Asia. Unlocking its potential as a gateway demands an integrated approach combining infrastructure, diplomacy, economic incentives, and cultural sensitivity. With sustained political will and cooperative federalism, the NER can become a corridor of convergence between India and its eastern neighborhood.
