North East Christian University holds round table dialogue on Act East Policy

DIMAPUR — North East Christian University (NECU) held a round table dialogue with a team from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) led by Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary of the Policy Planning and Research Division, CCCS, Ministry of External Affairs, on March 12.

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.

The administrative staff of the university, along with the faculties of the International Relations (IR) Programme, attended the meeting.

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The central theme of the meeting was based on India’s Act East Policy (AEP). In line with the theme, discussions were done regarding the impact of the political clout in Myanmar on Nagaland and the AEP at large and how the AEP has fared so far in the state.

With regard to trade and connectivity, cultural connect, and the tribal dynamics of Nagaland and Myanmar, ideas were exchanged on how best to strengthen them.

One of the key points of discussion was the implications of withdrawing the Free Movement Regime (FMR), to which suggestions were made by the representatives from NECU to reconsider and reassess the decisions made.

Facilitation of people-to-people connect between the regions was also highlighted. It was suggested that the decisions of the centre should be made keeping in mind the larger interests of the people in the periphery from both sides since policies impact them firsthand.