The Conference was organised by the Mawlana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute for Asian Studies, Kolkata, the School of Social Sciences, Nagaland University and the Tampadipa Institute, Yangon, Myanmar with the support of Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Speaking as the Chief Guest this afternoon Mr. Rio said that the North East region was considered as a security burden and more of a liability to India for so many decades.
However, in the context of the emerging global opportunities and dynamics, the region can easily emerge as the convergence of the dynamic economies of the 21st century of South East Asia, including China, with development of proper infrastructure of transport and communication and other business linkages.
'With our diverse ethnic backgrounds we also see ourselves as the crucial economic and cultural links between India and South East Asia,' he said.
Mr Rio also expressed that the Nagas and Myanmares share age-old historical, cultural and religious ties and also because the Northeast India share common borders and cultural affinities Myanmar is very close to our hearts. He pointed out that there are over one million ethnic Nagas living in Myanmar. Historical events have divided the Nagas, and today there are many Naga tribes and villages, which live on both sides of the international border but the Naga way of life continues to bind the two people. As the North Eastern states of India have lagged behind other parts of the country in development, mostly due to its geographical isolation, Mr Rio said the Government of India will have to focus more on developmental efforts as the key to breaking the North East India's geo-political isolation and to sustain stronger ties with its neighbouring countries especially Myanmar.
Northeast India would greatly benefit from the expanding opportunities in Myanmar, where recent gradual political reforms after decades of military rule have began to pave the way for foreign investment, he said. Mr Rio also stressed on the urgent need to improve people-to-people contacts stating that the Government of India and Government of Myanmar should continue to maintain the policy of open border in this sector. He also invited Myanmar business houses to invest in Nagaland and use the state as a natural springboard for trade and commerce with the rest of India.
He also added that the northeastern states could also be a convenient destination for healthcare and education. Stating that his Government has been very vocal on the need to recognize and support the rights of Nagas in Myanmar, Mr. Rio said that the Government of Nagaland had submitted a memorandum to the Government of India to extend financial assistance to develop the Naga inhabited areas in Myanmar. He said it had also submitted a comprehensive list of Naga Villages, population and townships, along with maps. He hoped that the conference would result in beneficial and tangible outcomes which would be mutually beneficial for both the people of the NE region of India and Myanmar. Special Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, P R Chakravarty in his special address said that India's relation with her neighbouring countries occupy a central place and good neighbourly relations require people to people contact and border trade. He said that winds of change are blowing through Myanmar, ushering in good governance and clean governance.
He hoped that the strong ties between the two countries would continue to deepen further. The Director, Tampadipa Institute, Myanmar, Dr Khin Zaw also spoke on the occasion.