Latest news with #ActEast
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bullet isn't the point
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Assam's move to liberalise arms licences in some state areas can turn seriously wrong. It should scrap the policy Assam cabinet's decision to approve a special scheme to grant arms licences to 'original inhabitants' and 'indigenous citizens' in vulnerable areas of the state has rightly raised eyebrows. The last thing the Northeast needs is more guns. After years of painstaking security operations and negotiations leading to more than 10,000 militants across the region laying down their arms, giving guns back to the people defeats security objectives. It also undermines the narrative of normalisation that was taking hold in the Northeast. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says it is meant to deter threats and enhance personal security among indigenous communities in areas like Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara-Mankachar and Goalpara. He also cites recent developments in Bangladesh. But this would mean that Assam police and other security forces in the state haven't been able to ensure law and order. Second, Assam has a terrible history of insurgency-induced lawlessness. Kidnappings, extortion and targeted killings were rampant during the height of Ulfa terror. What if the new liberal gun licence policy turns the clock back? As a state opposition leader said, govt can give gun licences but has no control over how those guns will be used. Third, in recent years, the Northeast has been talked up as a growth hub and a key pillar of India's Act East policy. But will investments flow to the region if an atmosphere of lawlessness prevails? Note that Morigaon – where the new gun licence policy will supposedly apply – is earmarked for a semiconductor plant. Will hundreds of supporting companies required for semiconductor manufacturing make a beeline if there's no confidence in local law and order? Himanta's critics say he is playing his political games with assembly polls due next year. Whatever his reasons, he should take back the gun policy. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
The northeast region's place in India's Indo-Pacific vision
India's northeast region (NER) features prominently in its Indo-Pacific vision and strategic calculations. The vast natural resources of NER and its geographical proximity to neighbouring countries in the Indo-Pacific region make it attractive for increased involvement of industry and the development of trade linkages. Socio-cultural affinities found across the borders of the region also carry potential for synergy in cooperation endeavours. This brief assesses the factors that can lend traction to the potential of the region. It explores the role which NER can play in furthering India's flagship policies such as 'Act East' and 'Neighbourhood First'. The brief argues for a nuanced foreign policy strategy that takes cognisance of the dynamics unique to the region. India's NER occupies a prominent place in its vision of diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific. The region has vast natural resources, and thereby great potential for increased industry and trade with the Indo-Pacific, since it is physically closer to the latter and has greater socio-cultural links with it than the rest of the country. This brief looks at how the potential can be realised, and the role the northeast plays in furthering India's flagship policies such as 'Act East' and 'Neighbourhood First'. It will examine the extent to which the northeast can attract foreign direct investment (FDI), boosting internal development and making it a growth hub. However, the brief also notes, achieving the northeast's potential is contingent upon the region—which has a troubled history—maintaining peace and stability, as well as on a more nuanced Indian foreign policy strategy. It cannot be assumed that the northeast can be pivotal to India's Indo-Pacific policy simply based on its potential. Foreign-policymakers must take cognisance of local resistance to development projects, as well as suspicions of the Centre's mainstreaming designs. India must reorient its approach to link domestic-focused bureaucratic structures with those involved with foreign policy, so that they jointly approach the northeast in a more sensitive manner. The northeast is India's domestic responsibility as well as its foreign policy asset. Both regional sentiment and industrial potential should get equal attention. This paper can be accessed here. This paper is authored by Sreya Maitra, ORF, New Delhi.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pradyot discusses investment proposals for TTAADC at investors summit in Delhi
Agartala: Tripura's royal descendant and BJP govt ally founder, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, announced on Saturday his participation in discussions regarding investments in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) during the 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025' held in New Delhi, reports Biswendu Bhattacharjee. "Had a very productive meeting with Mukesh Ambani , chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, and Harshavardhan Neotia, chairman of Ambuja Cement. Quite a few investments have been proposed, and many of them will focus on the tribal areas," he said. Speaking about northeast India's economic prospects, Pradyot said if the region achieves even half of its potential through the summit, it would establish itself as a significant economic centre both nationally and internationally. Reiterating PM Narendra Modi's 'Act East' policy, Pradyot said, "It's about actively engaging with the east, not merely looking eastward. If the northeast is connected to this dynamic region, it will benefit not only the northeast but the entire country."
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 emphasises healthcare development
New Delhi [India], May 24 (ANI): Union Minister Anupriya Patel on Saturday highlighted the significance of the North East region in India's growth story, particularly under the Act East policy, at the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 in Delhi. Anupriya Patel stressed the importance of healthcare in the North East region, encouraging private sector participation to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare. 'The north-east part of our country is one of the priorities of our government and a very important pillar of India's Act East policy. Taking this notion forward, the Rising North East Investor Summit 2025 has been organised. Under this, healthcare is an important segment... The private sector can play a crucial role in the advancement of healthcare in the entire North East region. The central government has collaborated with the state governments to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare. We have made every effort to reach out to the people in the North East region. The private sector, which exists, can supplement the government's efforts,' said Patel. The summit aims to attract investments across eight North Eastern states, focusing on sectors like infrastructure, tourism, agro-food processing, IT, energy, textiles, education and semiconductors On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, expressing strong confidence in the Northeast region's potential and reaffirming the government's commitment to its continued growth and prosperity. According to the official release, PM Modi, while welcoming dignitaries, industry leaders, and investors, commended the collaborative efforts of various ministries and state governments in creating a business-friendly environment. He highlighted the Northeast's vital role in achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), saying, 'For us, EAST is not just a direction but a vision--Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform.' The Prime Minister underscored the over 700 visits made by Union Ministers to the Northeast, demonstrating their commitment to understanding the land, witnessing people's aspirations, and translating that trust into development policies. The Rising North East Investors Summit, a two-day event from May 23-24, is the culmination of various pre-summit activities, such as a series of roadshows, and states' roundtables, including the Ambassador's Meet and Bilateral Chambers Meet, organised by the central government with active support from the state governments of the North Eastern Region. The Summit includes ministerial sessions, Business-to-Government sessions, Business-to-Business meetings, startups and exhibitions of policy and related initiatives taken by State Government and Central ministries for investment promotion. The main focus sectors of investment promotion include Tourism and Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing and allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom, and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; Information Technology or Information Technology Enabled Services; Infrastructure and Logistics; Energy; and Entertainment and Sports. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"North East now gateway to Southeast Asia": Kiren Rijiju at Rising Northeast Investors Summit
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the Northeast region has emerged as India's gateway to Southeast Asia, adding that geographical isolation is an old concept and that they are at the forefront of development. He made the remarks while speaking at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit held in Delhi. 'The North East is now the gateway to Southeast Asian countries. India's Act East policy begins from the North East. Geographical isolation is an old concept; we are at the forefront of the development,' Rijiju said during the summit. Rijiju said the Act East policy, which focuses on strengthening economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian countries, begins from the Northeast. He emphasised that the region was now central to India's growth and international outreach. He also said that the northeastern region has become very progressive and advanced because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. 'The government of India has focused on the Northeast, from infrastructure to the farm sector to tourism and hydropower, and in every sphere,' he added. Rijiju also said, 'The northeastern region is becoming a major economic hub of our country, and all sectors are rising, so people from industries and all backgrounds are participating. I'm very happy that the Northeastern region is no longer lagging behind in any sphere. Rather, it is progressing very fast. It doesn't matter now.' The two-day maiden 'Rising Northeast: The Investors' Summit 2025' is being held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital to showcase the investment and trade potential of the Northeast Region on May 23 and 24, said a release. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, on Friday highlighted the transformative progress of the North Eastern states over the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Rising North East Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the minister emphasised the government's commitment to the region's development. Scindia announced that gross budgetary support for the north-eastern region has seen a dramatic rise, from a mere 10 per cent to enabling an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the last ten years. This significant allocation, he noted, has been a game changer in redefining the growth trajectory of the region, turning it into a land of opportunity. He said, 'It is our very own Prime Minister who, over the past ten years, has increased the gross budgetary support from 10 per cent to enable an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the North Eastern region'.The summit, aimed at attracting both global and domestic investors, sought to spotlight the immense economic potential of the North East. The minister remarked that the region of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, has for thousands of years been a cradle of India's ancient culture and commercial vibrancy.'There was a time when these eight states served as South Asia's global trading hubs, making a significant contribution in connecting the East to the West through both land and water routes,' he stated. Furthermore, Scindia said that in the seventy years following India's independence, the region had remained neglected and in the shadows.'In the past ten years, the destiny and story of this entire region have transformed. And the architect of that transformation stands before us today in the form of our esteemed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji,' he said, praising PM Modi as the architect of this transformation. Recounting past infrastructure gaps, the minister shared that N-E region once had only nine airports, and two states lacked any airports at all. Under PM Modi's leadership, the number of airports in N-E has risen to seventeen, giving the region a new thrust in connectivity and economic integration. Organised by the Ministry of DoNER in partnership with FICCI and Invest India, The Rising North East Investors Summit, which PM Modi inaugurated, is a two-day event taking place on 23rd and 24th May at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit aims to highlight the North East region as a land of opportunity and attract both global and domestic investment. (ANI)
