Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as ‘Ashtalakshmi’, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik (Retd) highlighted the region’s increasing recognition as a key driver of national growth and strategic engagement. The Governor stressed India’s commitment to unlocking the Northeast’s potential through the “Act East and Act Fast” initiative, aiming to enhance connectivity and bolster its significance in the country’s economic and geopolitical landscape.
During a meeting with Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, a distinguished development economist and Chair of the Pangsau Pass Trade Study Group (2022), regional connectivity, economic transformation, and the strategic future of India’s eastern frontier were discussed. Prof. Lama presented reports and policy recommendations from the Pangsau Pass Trade Study, emphasizing the potential of reconnecting Arunachal Pradesh with Southeast Asian economies through trade routes like the Pangsau Pass. Improved connectivity, border trade facilitation, and infrastructure development were highlighted as catalysts for livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation.
The Governor commended the insightful study by Prof. Lama, recognizing the importance of evidence-based policy inputs in shaping the state’s growth trajectory. Under the ‘Act East’ and ‘Act Fast’ approach, Arunachal Pradesh is positioned to serve as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of the Northeast as a driver of national growth and strategic engagement. Lt. Gen. Parnaik (Retd) also stressed the need to balance security considerations with development initiatives, particularly in sensitive border areas, to ensure sustainable progress while safeguarding national interests and fostering economic opportunities for local communities.
