Northeast a "gateway" to Southeast Asia with immense growth potential: MoS Pabitra Margherita

Guwahati (Assam) [India], November 21 : Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, emphasized on Thursday that Northeast India is a vital 'gateway' to Southeast Asia with vast potential for growth and enhanced connectivity with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
"Northeast India is a strategic location and it's a gateway to Southeast Asia. The region is endowed with natural resources, culture, history and a strong legacy. So being a gateway to the region, we have immense potential, that is why our government's policy is Act East policy. The process has practically begun already as PM Modi took charge, the initiatives taken by the stakeholders and supported by concerned ministries, from trade and commerce to the Ministry of External Affairs," Margherita said while speaking to the media.
"This export promotion meeting will enhance the business volume. This has become the meeting point where buyers and sellers from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and all the organisations and representatives have assembled here. So we are optimistic," he added.
Margherita was speaking the 3rd 'Northeast export promotional meet' at the NEDFi house in Assam's Guwahati, where he underscored India's commitment to peace, stability, and growth in the region.
While addressing the occasion, he also encouraged participants to explore growing industries in the country, such as green technology, sustainable trade, digital infrastructure like UPI, and digital commerce. "These areas will use potential to further integrate South and Southeast Asian regions which in turn will promote efficient utilisation of the resources, helping fight climate change and resource scarcity the world is facing," he added.
He also lauded the semiconductor manufacturing facility in Assam, calling it a game-changer for the region. "The upcoming semiconductor manufacturing facility in Assam under the government of India in incentive will open a vista of opportunities for the northeastern states and our neighbouring countries. This semiconductor plant will position the whole of the Northeast region as a technological hub in eastern India and is expected to attract more investments from advanced countries. This in turn will open up huge opportunities for businessmen based in northeast India as well as our neighbouring countries in the east. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming decades, northeast India desires to be one of the major growth drivers in India," Margherita said.
Ruhul Amin, Bangladesh's Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati, also attended the event. He highlighted that Dhaka values connectivity with the region.

"I see a huge potential between Bangladesh and northeast in terms of trade and connectivity, but due to lack of air connectivity, a lot of things are not happening which could happen. We are always in favour of having a Dhaka-Guwahati flight. I am sure the Assam government and the government of India are also in on it. Once we have that then people will come closer, trade will grow, it will be a win-win situation," Amin said while speaking to the media.