THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ACT EAST POLICY AND ITS IMPACT ON THE NORTH EAST

The implementation of the Act East Policy in the North Eastern region of India can initiate various possibilities unlocking the gateway to the South Asian Countries. Connectivity will act as an essential element in the Act East Policy. This policy is considered to be an upgraded version of the Look East Policy. It is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the Asia – Pacific region at various levels. It can be observed that the issues of the North Eastern part of India have always been less highlighted. The North Eastern region has shared cultural history with some of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and this act will play a vital role in fostering people-to-people contact resulting in people`s diplomacy.

India`s economic growth and Chinese dominance in the region will act as a challenge for the act. This act shall help in connecting the North East with the mainstream of India since the hilly terrains and high seismicity has made this region one of the least networked in terms of transport. The implementation of the act will enhance the Geo-political relations of India with south Asian countries with the North East acting as its gateway. This will affect the involvement and presence of India beyond. The Act East Policy brings security cooperation of India with the east Asian countries. North East will act as an essential component of India`s foreign policy resulting in the foremost beneficiary and the most important performer in the policy. The act will be very beneficial in bringing stability and security to North East India. The international relation with south Asian countries will help in countering the illegal activities and anti-national elements in the region. The social behavior of the North East region will be influenced by the act in various aspects resulting in an integrated society. The potential of North East India has been driven accordingly through the act to meet the longing demands of the North East. The border issues of North Eastern states including international border issues of the east will be an essential part of the act. It shall help in curbing the increasing impact of China in the ASEAN region. The Act East Policy will be beneficial for every state of North East India from economic stability to social stability resulting in mass development of the region. It can be observed that the government is relying on Culture, Connectivity, and Commerce to develop better relations with ASEAN countries, where the North Eastern part will also act as a Geo-political laboratory. 

The evolution of the Look East Policy to the Act East Policy has been very effective to make suitable policy changes to cope with the changing economic and security situations in the region. I think the effective implementation of the policy from every dimension is necessary for the region to go beyond the narrative of isolation. I think the government should explore and figure out the possibilities of the region to deliver the benefits of the act in the North Eastern part of India. Along with domestic efforts, the involvement of other nations shall fuel up the development process of the North Eastern region. Implementation of the act can help solve various key problems in the North Eastern part of India. I think that evolution of the policy is crucial according to the time and strategic implementation is necessary for North East India. The government should look that the policies help in the development of the indigenous culture of the region since the people of the region are deeply connected to the roots of their culture.