IMPHAL, May 24: The two-day international conference on India`™s Look East Policy-Act East and South East Asia: Beyond Borders concluded today at the Centenary Hall, Manipur University.
The conference, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, was organised by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development Chandigarh in collaboration with Manipur University.
Speaking at the function, Manipur Governor Dr Syed Ahmed lauded the organisers for the timely conduct of such an important and productive conference.
He said that effective policies emerge from such deliberation.
North Eastern States of India constituted 7.9 percent of the total geographical area of the country inhabitating 3.7 percent of total population of India, the Governor said.
The region has more than 160 schedule tribes and over 400 other tribal and sub tribal communities and groups connecting the rest of the country through the narrow Silliguri corridor, he observed.
He further said that the economic status of the North Eastern States is mostly under developed owing to the weak industrial sector.
There is great opportunities of international trade and commerce in the North Eastern States, he said and added that the region also acts as a gateway to South East Asian countries.
Presiding over the valedictory function Lok Sabha Member Murli Manohar Joshi mentioned that in India connectivity has always been a central point.
He lauded the organising team and Manipur University for conducting such conference.
The valedictory function was also attended by Manipur University VC Prof. H Nandakumar Sarma, MU Registrar Prof N Lokendra Singh and Executive Vice Chairman of CRRID, Chandigarh Dr Rashpal Malhotra.