Assam central to the success of Act East policy: S Jaishankar

In News: At an event on “Act East Policy and India-Japan Cooperation in North-East India with a Special Focus on Assam”, Indian foreign minister termed Assam as springboard for Act East Policy.

• The event was in Guwahati to review a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Guwahati Water Supply project site with Japanese ambassador Suzuki.

Points of Convergence between Japan and India/ Issues discussed at Event

• Indian External Affairs Minister emphasised that JICA funded projects would help to
  • Create connectivity to and within Assam, the Northeast, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
  • They will also play a crucial role in connectivity to Vietnam and Japan by road, sea and air.
  • A more connected Assam will be a more energetic Assam, a more contributing Assam, and obviously, a more employed Assam.
• In addition, the External Affairs Minister also highlighted that
  • Japanese Official Development Assistance has funded roads, rail, urbanization and energy across the Nation.
  • An increase in the ease of doing business in India has resulted in higher Japanese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
  • These were “early days” of Myanmar Coup and perhaps Indo-Myanmar development projects would not be affected.
    • Myanmar is pivotal in the Act East policy of India.
• Japanese Ambassador Suzuki said that
  • Assam and the Northeast occupy an important place in Japan’s vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
  • “That is why Japan is supporting various connectivity projects in the state,”
• Assam Chief Minister also highlighted that
  • Despite the huge Japanese FDI in India, there was no Japanese company in Assam.
  • He used the occasion to invite the Japanese firms to come to Assam.

Source: IE