Transforming Northeast India

The Act East Policy has played a pivotal role in transforming Northeast India into a key gateway for Southeast Asia, improving the region's infrastructure, economic ties, and regional integration.

Key Highlights of India's Act East Policy:

1. Infrastructure Development:

   • The Bairabi–Sairang Rail Line in Mizoram marks a milestone in improving rail connectivity. Mizoram, which previously had only a 1.5 km metre-gauge line, is now becoming more integrated into India’s national railway network.

   • The Northeast has seen significant upgrades in roads, airports, digital connectivity, and the establishment of schemes like PM Gati Shakti and NESIDS (North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme). These efforts aim to improve connectivity both within the region and with neighboring countries.

2. Economic and Strategic Importance:

   • Projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project and IMT Trilateral Highway position Northeast India as a crucial transshipment hub. These projects not only bolster trade but also strengthen India’s ties with ASEAN countries, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

   • Sairang, in particular, is set to become an important railhead connecting Myanmar's Sittwe Port, enhancing trade and regional integration.

3. Socio-Economic Upliftment:

   • The improved connectivity is expected to create jobs, reduce geographical isolation, and facilitate access to education, healthcare, and disaster management. It helps bridge the developmental gap between Northeast India and the rest of the country, supporting India's broader vision for inclusive growth.

How Improving Regional Connectivity in Northeast India Aligns with India’s Act East Policy

Improving regional connectivity in Northeast India directly supports the objectives of India’s Act East Policy by fostering diplomatic, economic, and security ties with ASEAN countries, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

1. Enhanced Diplomatic and Security Ties

• Connectivity Projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project, IMT Trilateral Highway, and Sairang Railhead are not just about infrastructure but also about strengthening India’s regional diplomatic and strategic presence.

• Kaladan and IMT are crucial as they provide alternative routes to Southeast Asia, bypassing traditional transit points. These projects significantly bolster India’s ties with Myanmar and Bangladesh, strengthening both security and economic relationships. This is especially important as both countries are central to India's strategic vision in the Indo-Pacific.

• The Sairang railhead, being a key point for goods moving from Myanmar's Sittwe Port, helps enhance regional economic integration and establishes stronger trade corridors between India and Southeast Asia.

2. Transhipment Hub: Sairang Railhead

• Sairang’s strategic location in Mizoram means that it could serve as a vital transhipment hub for goods from Myanmar to India and Southeast Asia, helping in multilateral trade.

• The Sairang rail project fits into the larger picture of India's infrastructure push to link the Northeastern states with Southeast Asia, facilitating easier movement of goods, services, and people. This is crucial for expanding India’s presence and influence in Southeast Asia.

3. Socio-Economic Upliftment

• Improved rail connectivity under the Act East Policy has the potential to reduce regional disparities by enhancing access to education, healthcare, and disaster response mechanisms. By linking Northeast India more directly with mainland India and Southeast Asia, the policy promotes job creation, regional integration, and economic development.

• Better connectivity means economic empowerment for the region's youth, the growth of local industries, and enhanced trade opportunities with neighboring countries, thus fostering overall socio-economic upliftment.

What is India’s Act East Policy?

The Act East Policy is a strategic initiative introduced by India in November 2014, upgrading the earlier Look East Policy. The policy seeks to deepen India's engagement with countries in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, with a focus on Southeast Asia.

Key Objectives:

• Strengthening ties with Indo-Pacific nations, particularly ASEAN.

• Promoting regional economic growth in Northeast India and making it a gateway for trade with Southeast Asia.

• Establishing stronger diplomatic, trade, and security relations with ASEAN and other Indo-Pacific countries.

Key Features of the Act East Policy:

• Focus on connectivity, trade, defence, and people-to-people engagement.

• Promotes multi-level diplomacy with ASEAN countries to boost economic and cultural relations.

• The policy includes several programs like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, SARDP-NE, and the NESIDS, which specifically aim to improve infrastructure and foster regional integration.

India’s Initiatives Promoting Northeast Connectivity

1. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan:

   • A comprehensive plan for multi-modal connectivity, including rail, road, waterways, and airports, ensuring seamless movement of goods and people in the Northeast and beyond. This plan directly complements the Act East Policy by improving physical and digital infrastructure.

2. Act East Policy:

   • As the central framework for India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, the Act East Policy is the driving force behind initiatives like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project and IMT Trilateral Highway.

3. Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for NE (SARDP-NE):

   • This program focuses on improving road connectivity in the Northeast, which is crucial for linking the region to both the rest of India and Southeast Asia, facilitating economic activity and trade.

   • Under SARDP-NE, the government has undertaken several road projects to enhance border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

4. North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS):

   • NESIDS focuses on upgrading infrastructure in the Northeast, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, drinking water, and public infrastructure. This initiative works hand-in-hand with the Act East Policy by fostering socio-economic development in the region, making it more attractive for investment and trade.

Challenges Faced in Implementing Connectivity:

1. Geopolitical and Security Concerns:

   • Political instability in Myanmar and Bangladesh has led to disruptions in projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Project and the Agartala–Akhaura rail link, affecting regional trade integration.

   • Ethnic conflicts, such as the Manipur conflict, continue to disrupt progress, leading to stalled projects like the Imphal–Moreh rail line.

2. Infrastructure Deficiencies:

   • The Siliguri Corridor (also known as the "Chicken’s Neck") is a strategic, yet vulnerable, land route that connects Northeast India to the rest of the country. Its narrowness and susceptibility to natural calamities, like floods and landslides, impede the seamless flow of goods and people.

   • The lack of multi-modal integration limits the ability to have smooth cross-border connectivity, especially with ASEAN countries.

3. Environmental and Social Concerns:

   • Many large-scale projects, such as dams and mining, face opposition due to environmental concerns. Moreover, local resistance to these projects can further delay their completion.

   • The need to engage local populations in decision-making and ensure equitable development is crucial for the success of these projects.

4. China Factor and Strategic Gaps:

   • China's growing influence in the region and India's withdrawal from the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) have raised concerns over India’s regional engagement and trade opportunities.

   • Limited trade agreements with ASEAN nations and slow progress on connectivity further complicate India's standing in the region.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Regional Diplomacy:

   • Enhancing diplomatic relations with Myanmar and Bangladesh to fast-track vital infrastructure projects is essential. Groupings like BIMSTEC and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) should be leveraged to strengthen cross-border trade and improve logistics.

   • The Dimapur–Zubza and Imphal–Moreh railway lines need urgent attention to link Northeast India directly with ASEAN economies.

2. Integrated and Resilient Infrastructure:

   • Multi-modal infrastructure (road, rail, air, waterways) needs to be developed, with a focus on disaster-resilient designs to withstand the region’s environmental challenges.

   • The Siliguri Corridor needs alternative routes to ensure uninterrupted access to Southeast Asian markets.

3. Security-Sensitive and Inclusive Development:

   • Development projects should be security-sensitive, with stronger counter-insurgency measures to protect infrastructure in conflict-prone areas.

   • The participation of local communities through Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and benefit-sharing mechanisms is vital for inclusive growth.

4. Governance and Institutional Reforms:

   • India should prioritize single-window clearances for project approvals and land acquisition to speed up infrastructure execution.

   • Public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be promoted to ensure the timely and efficient completion of critical infrastructure projects.

Conclusion:

The success of India’s Act East Policy hinges on a comprehensive approach that balances infrastructure development with ecological sensitivity, strategic diplomacy, and local cooperation. By unlocking the potential of Northeast India as a gateway to Southeast Asia, India can achieve regional integration, economic growth, and geostrategic significance in the Indo-Pacific region.