North-East India: A ‘Gateway’ to Enhanced Connectivity with East and Southeast Asia

Abstract

North-East India, situated at the crossroads of South, East, and Southeast Asia, is poised to become a vital ‘gateway’ to foster seamless connectivity and cooperation between India and the ‘Asia-Pacific’ region. The region’s strategic location makes it a crucial player in India’s foreign policy, particularly through the ‘Act East Policy’ aimed at strengthening ties with ‘East’ and ‘Southeast Asia.’ With its geographical proximity to Southeast and East Asian markets, North-East India has immense potential for increased investment under the ‘Act East Policy,’ making it an attractive hub for trade, commerce, and connectivity. The region’s connectivity infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports, and ports, is being upgraded to facilitate seamless trade and people-to-people contacts. This improvement in connectivity is expected to boost regional economic growth, enhance India’s Act East Policy, and foster ASEAN-India cooperation. This paper explores North-East India’s potential as a ‘gateway’ to enhance connectivity with ‘East’ and ‘Southeast Asia,’ highlighting its geo-strategic significance, economic opportunities, and cultural connections, and assessing its role in shaping India’s foreign policy and regional integration. The paper also investigates the government’s initiatives and projects to facilitating connectivity with ‘East’ and ‘Southeast Asia.