By IANS
Agartala : The Indian external affairs ministry will hold a meeting with chief ministers of northeastern states in New Delhi Wednesday to formulate strategies to make the country’s Look East policy more effective.
The meeting to be chaired by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also be attended by Mani Shankar Aiyar, the minister of development of the northeastern region.
“The meeting will focus on steps to improve connectivity with the neighbouring countries to develop economic activities including trade,” an official here said.
The meeting, according to the official, would also discuss how best to improve the infrastructure and telecommunication network between the northeast and Southeast Asian countries.
“Some northeast chief ministers would suggest to Mukherjee to approach the Bangladesh government to allow transit facilities to transport men and materials between the northeast and the rest of India via Bangladesh,” the official said.
Besides, a rail extension between the Tripura capital Agartala to the southern most border town Sabroom and a 75 km connectivity from there to Chittagong would also be raised at the day-long meeting.
On Oct 23, senior officials of the ministry of development of northeastern region held a preparatory meeting in New Delhi with the chief secretaries of the region to prepare the 13-point agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.
“The chief ministers of the region would also highlight the importance of road and air connectivity between the northeast India and SAARC countries,” the official stated.