Latest Development on Act East Policy Objectives

The Act East policy is a step forward by the respective government to stabilise the economy and security integration in the South East Asian part of the country. Act East policy objective is to focus on and develop the relationship between Asian-pacific regions and establish connectivity. The states of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India, and Southeast Asia regions benefit most from the east act policy. There are 4C’s included in the Act East Policy objective: commerce, culture, capacity building, and connectivity. States like Assam have chosen the strategies and made it time-bound to effectively implement the easy act policy. Let’s read further on the latest development in the policy.

What Is ASEAN?

The ASEAN OR Association of South-Eastern Asian nations was formed in Bangkok, Thailand. On 8 August, the founding fathers, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia, decided to find a body for specific regions’ strategic security. 

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brunei joined further in ASEAN. ASEAN has become a ten-member association for looking after economic and social integration. Altogether, these countries meet and perform the task and frame rules and regulations for efficient functioning.

What is the Development of Act East Policy Objective?

The latest projects for developing northeastern regions are 100% funded by India’s Ministry of external affairs. The Indian government has collaborated with Northeastern neighbours like Bangladesh and Myanmar for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project

This transit aims to provide alternative access to Kolkata by Sittew port-kalanda River to Myanmar River, Zorinpui road in Mizoram north east region and the rest of the country. The implementation is controlled by IWAI and funded by the Ministry of external affairs for this project.

• Protocol of Inland Water Transit and Trade

The connectivity between eastern and north eastern states is established by linking the NW-2 to NW-16 to NW-1 to NW-97 under the protocol system of PIWT&T. Government formed the project for the integration of Bangladesh and India in 1972. This project had fuelled the waterway transportation relation with other countries.

• Comprehensive Project for the Development of National Waterway

Inland water transport project between hubris and Nadiya. The project will fulfill the development strategy between the years 2020-25. The project aims to implement navigable ways to support the terminals day and night. It includes the construction of a ship repair facility in Pandu port, the structure of the Jogighopa terminal and alternative road access to Pandu port.

• Comprehensive Project of Development of NW-16 & IBP Route

This project includes the development of Karimganj and Badarpur terminals and implementing immigration facilities through these routes. The target deadline for this project is the same as above (2020-25).

• Projects Sanctioned Under the Central Sector Scheme

Manipur: Indian waterways improvement project to develop the Loktak River.

Tripura: Developing linkage between Gumti River and Meghna River situated in Bangladesh.

Assam: Building floating terminal linkage between NW-16 and NW-2.

 Mizoram: Developing connectivity of IWT between Tuichawng and Khawthlantuipui district.

Importance of Act East Policy

Here is the importance of Act East Policy in the Indo-Pacific Regions of India

• The Act East policy is being strengthened near the Indian Ocean region because of the Chinese influence. The South-East Asia region needed economic and security integration from Chinese influence. Regular monitoring, navigation and maintaining the rule of law in the Indian Pacific region is the main Act East Policy objective.
• Indian collaboration with QUAD is a supporting system or backbone in the high-tech security system.
• The loosening of the cold war and the increasing influence of China has pushed the ASEAN and Indian relationships. Act east policy will strengthen the relationship in future due to economic connectivity and linked security support.
• The Indian strategy of Act east policy is to accomplish the long-term security and economic and social integration in South and North-East Asian regions.
• The policy will simmer down the boiling aggression of China towards the regions of India and sabotage the wrong steps.

Conclusion

The article shares knowledge on the latest development in Act east policy, which included projects for implementation. The Act’s east policy objective is to boost the linkage and connectivity and upgrade cultural and regional relations with India’s northeastern regions and neighbours.The AESEN has been contributing to establishing economic and social integration. The Chinese influence in the South-east Asia portion is pushed down by the upcoming development project, which is constructing river ways and routes for alternative and factual access to outer regions. The Ministry of external affairs is funding and working strategically to develop the most comprehensive and effective policy.