Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla on Friday urged the Centre to take faster initiatives in linking the northeast region with ASEAN countries at the Delhi Dialogue at Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi.
At a two day meeting of dignitaries from India and ASEAN countries representatives held in New Delhi, Lal Thanhawla said that the Act East Policy could form an economic backbone for the northeastern states.
“The sooner trade and commerce between India and the ASEAN countries begin, the sooner the region will benefit,” Mizoram chief minister said.
The Mizoram chief minister said the theme “Strengthening India- ASEAN Maritime Cooperation” of tenth edition of the Delhi Dialogue was appropriate especially with the ongoing projects in Mizoram.
“Act East Policy aims at connecting the northeast region with ASEAN countries, Mizoram too has its share of the policy – the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project, a multi modal land communication which will connect northeast India via Sittwe in Myanmar to Kolkata Port, the Mizoram government has completed 76% of its share of the project,” Lal Thanhawla said.
Lal Thanhawla urged the Centre to expedite the functioning of Land Custom Station at Zokhawthar village in Champhai district to bolster trade between the two countries.
“Trade link routes with Bangladesh are also being developed in Mizoram at Kawrpuichhuah, an integrated check post which is ready to be commissioned is already in place, the Land port Authority of India should speed up the process for better trade ties with Bangladesh,” Lal Thanhawla said.