The 10th edition of the ‘Delhi Dialogue’ got under way in New Delhi on Thursday with ‘Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation’ as its theme.

Addressing the special plenary session, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said the theme has been chosen aptly this time in view of importance that the government attached to maritime cooperation with the ten-nation grouping.

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He highlighted the fact that the dialogue was being opened with a round-table with the Chief Ministers of North-eastern states. He said India’s ‘Act East’ policy was not just a progression but a leap forward from the ‘Look East’ policy. Singh said the ‘Act East’ policy was wider in scope and more action- driven and result-oriented.

Efforts were on to reinforce ancient links of culture and cooperation with the ASEAN region. He said the government envisioned North-eastern states to be active partners in developing linkages with the region. Singh stated the North-eastern region was critical to the success of the ‘Act East’ policy. The NDA government, he said, was committed to the development of the North-east.

In her welcome remarks, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said the ‘Delhi Dialogue’ has evolved into a useful forum to brainstorm all aspects of ASEAN-India relations. She said it has contributed significantly towards strengthening strategic partnership.

Emphasising that ASEAN lay at the heart of the Indo-Pacific policy, she expressed confidence that the dialogue would help give a boost to India’s relationship with ASEAN countries.

The Chief Ministers and representatives of the North-eastern states spoke about the region’s relationships with ASEAN. In his speech, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said connectivity to the North-east was a key issue which needed to be addressed.

He said Chittagong was the closest port to the North-eastern region and access to this port should be provided. He also said that ASEAN countries should open their Consulates in the North-East while pointing out that people from the North-east have to travel all the way to Kolkata to get visas.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla highlighted that his state shared borders with two countries, Myanmar and Bangladesh, and called for better connectivity with ASEAN countries. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said the North-eastern region had tremendous potential for enhancing ties with the ASEAN countries.