July 19, 2018: The Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb attended the 10th edition of the ‘Delhi Dialogue’ programme organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India at New Delhi today.
He addressed the Special Plenary Session of Chief Ministers of North East India during the programme which was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State of External Affairs, General V.K. Singh. Chief Ministers/Ministers from North Eastern States, representatives from ASEAN Countries, diplomats and senior officers were present during the session.
In his remark, Deb highlighted historical and cultural links between North Eastern States and ASEAN countries and stressed on enhancing the ties for overall development of the region as well as the country.
On his Government’s outlook, the CM said the mantra of ‘Reform, Perform & Transform’ has been adopted and reformative measures have been undertaken by State Government of Tripura to ensure that fruits of development reach all sections of people and every corner of the state of Tripura.
The Chief Minister mentioned that Tripura is set to become the gateway and hub particularly for the North Eastern Region of the country once the Sabroom-Chittagong connectivity becomes operational and Chittagong Port is available for movement of goods through Sabroom in Tripura to various parts of North East India.
The Chief Minister said, with the rapid expansion of Railway network within the State as well as strengthening of the National Highway network, transportation of all types, goods would become a reality very shortly.
Terming ASEAN as one of the best illustrations of cooperative regional multi-lateralism, he said, ASEAN can also be referred to as ‘Assuring Security and Equality for All Nations’ (ASEAN) owing to the prevailing spirit of unity and cooperation among the member nations. Highlighting the historical and cultural links of the North Eastern States with the ASEAN Countries, the Chief Minister stressed that promoting greater cooperation and support with the ASEAN Countries would be beneficial not only to the North Eastern States but to the country as a whole.
Biplab Deb lauded the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for visualising the North Eastern States as the ‘Ashtalaxmi (the eight goddesses of beauty and prosperity) of India’.
He thanked Union Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj for giving an opportunity through this programme to highlight the dreams and aspirations of the people of North-East India.
Speaking on this occasion, Ram Madhav, chairman, India Foundation, also stressed upon the importance of Tripura in India’s Act East Policy. He mentioned that with the availability of Chittagong-Sabroom link, Rail connectivity through Akhaura in Bangladesh, Tripura would shortly become not only the gateway but the hub for transportation and movement for the North Eastern Region as well as for various ASEAN countries like Myanmar and nations like Bhutan etc.
Ram Madhav also said, the day is not far when the Agartala Sabroom Chittagong route would become a stiff competitor to Kolkata Port.
