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OPINION APRIL 29, 2022 | The Indian Eye 14

tan in the north and Bangladesh and Burimari (Bangladesh)–Mongla/
Myanmar to the west and east. It is Chittagong (Bangladesh). Some SA-
the key theatre where India’s Act East SEC corridors in Bangladesh and
traverses with Japan’s FOIP vision. India connect with some parts of the
Driven by Northeast’s strategic Asian Highway 1 and 2 to Myanmar.
significance, Prime Minister Modi has In the period 2011–2020, 66.2 per
turned around the discourse on ‘tyran- cent of Japanese ODA was directed
ny of distance’ and mainstreamed the towards the transportation sector.
region in Delhi’s Act East Policy. The The transportation sector is being
discussion on Northeast industrial prioritized both by JICA and ADB,
corridor from Dawki (on Bangladesh thus creating synergy will reinforce
border), Shillong via Guwahati to Na- the goal of linking India to South
goan and from Golaghat via Dimapur and Southeast Asian markets. Work-
via Imphal to Moreh (on Myanmar ing together with Japan will buttress
border) paves the gateway to South- global standards of transparency and
east Asia, as it would facilitate seam- economic sustainability.
less connectivity, and position India India’s aim is to facilitate deep-
favorably in regional value chains and er economic linkages and integra-
production networks. Meanwhile, the tion between Northeast India and
NITI Forum for Northeast is geared Southeast and East Asian econo-
towards inclusive and sustainable eco- Prepared by GIS Lab, MP-IDSA based on data drawn from Act East Forum, Japan International mies through various cross-border
nomic growth in the region. As such, Cooperation Agency and Asian Development Bank. infrastructure corridors such as SA-
the Department for Promotion of SEC, Asian Highways, the Kaladan
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Multi-Modal Project, and the In-
has set up the Make-In-North-East dia–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral
Initiative with a dedicated Northeast Highway and its potential eastward
Desk within Invest India. extension. Furthermore, Japan’s
Northeast is being prioritized in own infrastructure and connectivity
the developmental agenda since it projects in Southeast Asia, the East–
holds the potential to emerge as the West Economic Corridor and the
growth engine of India. However, this Southern Economic Corridor could
demands significant infrastructure be effectively utilized to reach re-
investment. As India seeks support gional markets.
from multilateral and bilateral fund- Advancing regional connectiv-
ing agencies to drive innovation and ity and infrastructure development
imbibe international best practices, would be a shot in the arm amid
Japan has emerged as a trusted part- COVID-19 recovery driving produc-
ner. Prioritizing Northeast in India– tivity, competitiveness, market access,
Japan relations is driven by the con- economic growth and employment
structive leadership of Prime Minister amongst developing Asian econo-
Modi and former Prime Minister Abe mies. Japanese ODA complements
Shinzo keeping the broader Indo-Pa- India’s North Eastern Region Vision
cific strategic vision into consideration. 2020, and reinforces intra-regional
Japanese ODA is playing a crucial Japan Naval Chief Admiral Hiroshi Yamamura after laying a wreath at the National War Memo- and inter-regional connectivity both
role in advancing connectivity in the rial on its third anniversary, in New Delhi (ANI Photo/ Amlan Paliwal) from geostrategic and geo-econom-
strategic periphery of Northeast India. ic perspective. In future, Japan will
Moreover, Japan’s engagement tegic priority in India–Japan strategic of urgency to accelerate regional con- play a significant role in addressing
with Northeast India remains stead- partnership. The recent launch of the nectivity corridors, particularly via the infrastructure-deficit, and help
fast, and sometimes as argued by Jap- Sustainable Development Initiative Bangladesh and Myanmar. As India India alleviate the development gap
anese scholars, shaped by “common for the North Eastern Region during and Japan make concerted efforts by positioning Northeast as a power-
history”. The World War II connects Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to India towards promoting regional con- house through improved connectiv-
Northeast India with Japan in a “per- adds qualitative depth to India–Japan nectivity and infrastructure through ity, opening up trade corridors and
sonal and emotional way” drawing cooperation as it not just prioritizes Northeast India (see Map 1), it would driving better economic integration.
from the “shared historical experi- connectivity projects and capacity be practical to further create synergy Dr Titli Basu is Associate Fellow at the
ence” as many Japanese soldiers not building for the maintenance of resil- with complementary ADB projects. Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense
only arrived but also lost their lives ient mountainous highways but also ADB supports India’s regional Studies and Analyses
in the Northeast. Today, Japan’s role developing agro-industries mainly connectivity agenda, especially link-
in the Northeast is not restricted to through small and medium enterpris- ing North Bengal and Northeast of Views expressed are of the author and
infrastructure and connectivity but es (SMEs), supporting bamboo value India under South Asia Subregional do not necessarily reflect the views of
a greater investment in deepening chain, advancing skill development, Economic Cooperation (SASEC) the Manohar Parrrikar IDSA or of the
people-to-people contact, from skill strengthening quality healthcare, re- programme. SASEC aims to con- Government of India.
development, IRIS programme and newable energy and conservation. Ja- nect Kathmandu (Nepal)–Kakar-
capacity building to peace museum pan’s current ODA projects in this re- bhitta (Nepal)–Panitanki (India)– This is the abridged version of the
demonstrates the importance Tokyo gion amounts to around ¥ 246 billion. Phulbari (India)–Banglabandha article which appeared first in the
attaches to this region of India. (Bangladesh)–Mongla/Chittagong Comment section of the website (www.
Institution of the Act East Forum India’s Northeast: Gateway to (Bangladesh), and Thimphu (Bhu- idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
in 2017 has delivered effectively in Indo-Pacific tan)–Phuentsholing (Bhutan)–Jaiga- for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
positioning Northeast India as a stra- India is acting east with a sense on (India)–Changrabandha (India)– Delhi on April 20, 2022

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