Minutes of the First Meeting of the Task Force on Look East Policy Chaired by Smt

Minutes of the First Meeting of the Task Force on Look East Policy Chaired by Smt. V.S. Rao, Secretary, Ministry of DoNER as a follow up of the LEP Summit meeting chaired by the Minister for External Affairs on 31.10.2007

Date & Time: 21st July, 2008 (11 A.M.) Venue: Room No. 243-A, Committee Room, M/o DONER

List of participants is annexed.

Secretary, DoNER welcomed the participants and the deliberations were held Ministry-wise on the various issues listed in the agenda. The issues discussed in the first meeting of the Task Force on the Look East Policy and the observations/decisions taken thereon are as under :

Ministry of External Affairs

S.No.1. Kaladan multi-modal project and its implementation. (DoNER to focus on internal implementation of the project in Mizoram)

The Kaladan Multi-modal transport project is under implementation with MEA as the implementing Ministry for the Myanmar portion, and DORTH for the Indian portion. Inland Waterways Authority of India is the executing agency in Myanmar. The Mizoram Govt. is conducting ground survey for the connecting road in Mizoram. They will then prepare the DPR for the road from Mobu to Nalkawn by August 2008.

(Action : Govt. of Mizoram)

S.No.2. Conversion of current border trade into regular trade to enhance trade between North East States of India and Myanmar

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce said that they are in favour of changing border trade to MFN trade on all border trade points including Moreh. In

1 the recent visit of the Minister for Commerce from Myanmar, the Myanmar Government gave positive indications of enhancing the number of items being traded. They have given a list of 30 negative items to the Ministry of Commerce. Final decision will be taken after bilateral consultations and agreement.

(Action :Deptt. of Commerce& MEA)

Secretary, Trade & Commerce, Govt. of Mizoram said that they also would like that the number of items be increased for border trade. Secretary, DoNER requested that a copy of this communication be sent to Ministry of Commerce, with a copy to Ministry of DoNER to enable it to pursue the issue.

(Action : Govt. of Mizoram)

RC, Tripura suggested that in view of the critical position that trade with neighbouring countries can play in the development of the region, a report on trade and commerce issues with Bangladesh and Myanmar may be prepared by a committee comprising Ministry of External Affairs, Commerce, DoNER and concerned State Govts., who are the major stakeholders.

(Action : DoNER & Deptt. of Commerce)

S.No.3. Construction of Rih-Tidim and Rih-Falam road to operationalise the India-Myanmar border trading point at Rih-Zokhawthar

A proposal to upgrade the Rih-Tidim and Rih-Falam roads in Myanmar in order to facilitate a second border trade point with Myanmar at Zokhawthar (Mizoram) – Rih (Myanmar) is under consideration of MEA. BRO has prepared DPRs for upgradation of both the above mentioned roads. The proposal is under active consideration of MEA to appoint an executive agency and Project Development Consultant. (Action : MEA)

2 Secretary, Industry, Govt. of Assam stated that the specifications which MEA has given to BRO for the above roads and any other road that India is constructing in Myanmar should desirably be of NHAI standards. He said that due to poor quality of construction, the roads are washed away after a few monsoons. (Action :Border Roads Organization)

It is expected that these roads will link to roads in Myanmar which lead to Mandalay. However, it is understood that there are some major missing links such as bridges to the road to Mandalay without whose restoration/construction, these roads may not finally link properly to Mandalay. MEA should look into this issue as well. (Action : MEA)

S.No.4. Regional Motor Vehicle Agreement for enabling legal framework for seamless travel across SAARC borders.

Next meeting of the SAARC Transport Ministers’ Group is now rescheduled in September, 2008. (Action :MEA)

S.No.5. Airport, Railway and alternate highway projects approved for Sikkim and their implementation.

Airport for the new airport at Pakyong(Gangtok), the work is in progress. The Greenfield Pakyong airport at Sikkim will be completed by Airports Authority of India by 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs. 358 crore.

(Action :AAI, Ministry of Civil Aviation)

For Railway link from Sevoke(West Bengal) to Rangpo (15 kms. away from Gangtok), final locational survey is going on. An ‘in principle’ approval from Planning Commission has been obtained. It was decided that this line should also be included as National

3 Project of the Railways in view of its importance to the State. Ministry of DoNER will take up with Ministry of Railways. (Action : DoNER & Ministry of Railways)

Alternate Road Link - NH-31A from Sevoke to Gangtok is the lifeline of Sikkim. It is often blocked due to land slides and other causes. Hence, the need for an alternate highway to Sikkim. In a meeting of Committee of Secretaries held on 20.02.2008 it was decided to undertake construction of alternate highway and at the same time continue with double laning of existing NH-31A, wherever possible, without disrupting traffic. DORTH is seeking revised approval of CCEA for construction of alternate highway to Gangtok, integration of Gangtok bye-pass and 22 kms of Gangtok- Nathu La road to form a continuous new highway from Sevoke to Nathu La via Gangtok.

The difficulties faced by Sikkim due to blockages on NH-31A due to political and law and order disturbances in North Bengal are not likely to be solved even if the alternate highway is built because even the alternate highway is aligned to be on the bank of Teesta river. There is an alternate route to Sikkim via Bhutan can be considered – an existing Thimpu- Phunshiling road is being presently maintained by BRO. A detour from this road from Chapcha(Bhutan) to Gangtok can be considered by all stakeholders. RC, Sikkim said that such a proposal has been submitted by his State to the Union government. He was requested to forward a copy of the proposal to the Ministry of DoNER so that DoNER can follow it up.

(Action :DORTH, Govt. of Sikkim & DoNER)

S.No.6. Declaring Ashuganj as port of call.

Declaring Ashuganj as a port of call will help Tripura to reduce the distance taken to reach foodgrain and other commodities which are being taken from Karimganj(Lower Assam) presently.

4 The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation have entered into an agreement for the supply of High Speed Diesel (HSD) from Numaligarh refinery to Bangladesh. The supply was to be made from Silghat (Assam) to Baghabari (Bangladesh). Since Silghat and Baghabari are yet to be declared as ports of call and also that the Pandu (Bangladesh) to Silghat stretch is not included in the Indo-Bangladesh IWT Protocol Route, the matter was referred to the Cabinet Committee on Security for grant of permission to Bangladeshi vessels to load HSD from Silghat as an interim measure. The Committee has approved the proposal with the condition that Silghat in Assam should be declared as port of call only if Bangladesh agrees to the declaration of Ashuganj as a port of call. Extension up to 31st Dec. 2008 has been granted by Govt. of India to Bangaldeshi vessels to load POL products at Silghat in India.

Joint Secretary, Commerce stated that despite repeated requests and discussion, Bangladesh Govt. has not agreed to make Ashuganj a port of call – while India has a trade centric approach towards Ashuganj, Bangladesh is treating it as a strategic matter. There is a difference in approach of the two countries.

Secretary, Industry Assam stated that the refineries in Assam have exportable surplus for which opening up of Silghat on a long term basis is important.

RC, Tripura stated that Sherpur in Bangladesh which is mentioned in the Indo-Bangladesh Inland Water Protocol needs to be improved for infrastructure for it to be used as a transshipment point. IWAI has already sent a proposal to Ministry of Shipping on 14.7.2008 for onward submission to MEA to take up the matter with Bangladesh Govt. IWAI was requested to forward a copy of the proposal to the Ministry of DoNER. India can consider assisting Bangladesh to improve infrastructure at Sherpur. It was decided that DoNER will pursue this issue with MEA and Ministry of Shipping.

(Action :DoNER, MEA & Ministry of Shipping/IWAI)

S.No.7. Start direct bus service from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka and explore greater road connectivity.

In the Secretary level consultations between India and Bangladesh on 17.7.2008, Foreign Secretary had suggested that due to the excellent response for the Dhaka-Kolkata bus, more services could be started on that route. A separate Kolkata-Agartala via Dhaka bus service can be considered. The Bangladesh Foreign Secy. agreed to consider. A final decision will be arrived at after bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and India. (Action : MEA)

S.No.8. Access to Chittagong port through Bangladesh

The Secretary level consultations between India and Bangladesh in July 2008 did not discuss the issue of access to Chittagong as this is an important policy decision linked to allowing transit facility to India, which will await the elections slated in future in Bangladesh. (Action : MEA)

S.No.9. Tri-lateral highway connecting Moreh to Maesot (Thailand) via Bagan (Myanmar)

This is an important project involving India, Myanmar and Thailand. It has been decided by MEA to go ahead with commissioning DPRs for the project to be undertaken by India. Secretary, DoNER wanted to know the agency which has been given the responsibility for preparing the DPR. MEA will inform. (Action : MEA)

S.No.10. Attracting investment from Bangladesh into North-East with a view to economic development and greater economic integration (DONER to pursue with North East States).

Investors from Bangladesh are now permitted to invest in India. Interest has been shown by Bangladeshi

6 investors to invest in Tripura. A North East- Bangladesh Investment Summit is also under preparation in Tripura. (Action : DoNER, Govt. of Tripura)

Shri D.S. Poonia, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Manipur said that bus link between Imphal and Mandalay may be taken up with MEA as this is a demand from Manipur. DoNER will take it up with MEA.

(Action : DoNER, MEA)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE & DEPARTMENT OF BORDER MANAGEMENT

S.No.1. To improve facilities through LCSs on the international border in the North East particularly with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Presently, only Moreh(Manipur) on Myanmar border has been taken for development as an Integrated Check Post on fast track by Department of Border Management through Government funds. Approximate cost will be Rs. 160 to 180 crore. Year of expected completion is 2011. Land Port Authority Bill to provide for integrated management of Land Custom Stations and ICPs is also in an advanced stage.

(Action : Deptt. of Border Management)

Integrated LCSs at Akhaura in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya on Bangladesh border are also being processed for being taken up in the first phase through a CCEA Note. LCSs at Sutarkhandi in Assam and Kawarpuchiah in Mizoram on Bangladesh border will be taken up in the second phase. An amount of Rs.635 crore has been budgeted in the 11th Plan for improvement of LCSs. (Action : Deptt. of Border Management)

Principal Secretary, Manipur informed that land has been identified at Moreh and that Deptt. of Border

7 Management will inspect the land for its suitability after which the land acquisition process will begin.

(Action : Deptt. of Border Management)

Commissioner (Industry), Assam stated that Government of Assam would like more border trade points to be opened on the Assam-Bhutan border. He was requested to send a proposal to Ministry of Commerce and Department of Revenue.

(Action : Govt. of Assam, Ministry of Commerce)

S.No.2. Informal trade is taking place through Pangsu Pass(Arunachal Pradesh) with Myanmar and Bleeting and Donshengmang with Bhutan. The Government of Arunachal Pradesh proposed that eight border points be re-opened for trade. Decision to be expedited.

During the visit of the Myanmar Minister for Commerce, he stated that Myanmar is open to agreeing on Nangpo and Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh as border trade point. Final decision will be taken after bilateral consultations. The other points demanded by Government of Arunachal Pradesh are on Indo-Chinese border. (Action : MEA, Deptt. of Commerce)

S.No.3. : Export potential of products and commodities of the North East such as strawberries, ginger and other horticulture products.

APEDA has prepared a comprehensive report on the export potentials of agricultural products and community of the NER and copy of the report has been obtained. Secretary, DONER directed that copies should be sent by APEDA to the State Governments. NERAMAC under the Ministry of DONER is also taking several innovative steps to promote the trade in horticulture commodities from the North East. (Action :APEDA, DoNER)

8 Commissioner (Industry), Assam informed that Assam Government has commissioned IL&FS to prepare project report on agricultural hubs in the State. He was requested to forward copy of the report. (Action : Govt. of Assam)

S.No.4: Re-opening border haats in Meghalaya on Bangladesh border to facilitate trade.

Secretary, DONER directed that this issue may be dropped because MFN trade needs to be promoted rather than border trade.

S.No.5. : MFN trade at Nathu La in Sikkim as against border trade and development of facilities at Nathu La.

Joint Secretary (Commerce) informed that the views of the various Ministries on the Cabinet Note on MFN trade at Nathu La are under examination in the Department of Commerce.

(Action :Deptt. of Commerce)

MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

No representative from Ministry of Civil Aviation attended the meeting. An update will be taken from them. However, the existing status is stated below.

S.No.1. : Guwahati to be developed as an airline hub in North part of NER and Agartala/Imphal to be developed as hubs in the southern Part of NER.

Establishing an airline hub at Guwahati is very essential to provide early morning connectivity within the NER as the weather deteriorates in the afternoon and evenings in NER. MOU has been signed between Alliance Air and NEC for extension of existing arrangements with Alliance Air up to 31.12.2008. As per this MOU, Alliance Air places an aircraft in Guwahati for early operations in the morning.

9 Developing Hub at Imphal and/or Agartala is also proposed to be taken up while finalising new dedicated airline. (Action :Ministry of Civil Aviation & NEC)

S.No.2. : To have a dedicated airline in the NE Region.

NEC has received bids for starting a dedicated airlines in NER. The bids will be evaluated soon.

(Action : NEC)

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

S.No.1. : State capitals of 8 NE States to be connected through rail.

9 national projects in North East which link State Capitals and for gauge conversion being taken up by the Ministry of Railways. Funding pattern of the national projects has been proposed at 75% from Planning Commission and 25% from Ministry of Railways.

Sl. Name of Project States Target year No. covered of completion 1. Jiribam-Imphal New Line (97.9 Manipur March, 2014 km) 2. Kumarghat-Agartala New Line Tripura June, 2008 (109 km) 3. Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam, Assam & March, 2011 Badarpur-Kumarghat(Gauge Manipur Conversion) (367 km) 4. Bogibeel Bridge with linking Assam March, 2012 lines (73 km) 5. Rangia-Murkongselek with Assam March, 2012 linked fingers(Gauge Conversion)(510.30 km) 6. Dimapur-Zubza (Kohima) New Assam & March, 2014 Line (88 km) Nagaland 7. Azra-Byrnihat New Line(30 km) Assam & March 2012 Meghalaya 8. Bhairabhi-Sairang New Mizoram March, 2015 Line(51.38 km) 9. Agartala-Sabroom New Line(110 Tripura March, 2014 km)

Railway link to Sikkim is not part of the 9 National Projects of the Railways in the North East. Ministry of DONER will take up the Sevoke-Rangpo Project for inclusion as a National Railway Project with the Ministry of Railways. (Action : DoNER)

S.No.2. : Need to create Railway Development Fund for the NER.

Action initiated by Ministry of Railway through a Cabinet Note for creation of Railway Development Fund from the year 2009-10. Total requirement of funds for completion of 9 National Projects up to 12th Plan is Rs.9067.70 crore.

(Action : Ministry of Railways)

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

An update will be obtained from Department of Telecommunication. The status on the issues, as available, is stated below.

S.No.1. : Project for establishing the optical fibre link connecting Moreh and Mandalay being implemented by TCIL through a credit line. Setting up of telemedicine network.

Department of Telecommunication has reported that the work of laying of OF cable between India and Myanmar & equipment installation is being done by TCIL. The connectivity on the Indian side from Moreh to Kolkata TAX (International Gateway) is being done by BSNL. BSNL has already sent copy of International Tariff agreement to Myanmar side for their consent. Myanmar side is yet to respond to the BSNL side. TCIL is pursuing the matter with Myanmar. The OF connectivity on the Myanmar side at Tamu & further upto Mandalay is to be done by Myanmar in association of TCIL. The connectivity of Yangon with this OF route stations/cities is understandably being done by Myanmar.

The overall coordination is being done by TCIL for this project. Work of laying of OF cable has been completed. (Action : Deptt. of Telecom)

S.No.2.:. Improving telecommunication network by installing optical fibre link for 6 kms between Moreh and Tamu (Myanmar).

Equipment installation at Moreh and Tamu has been completed. The equipment at Mandalay, being installed on the Myanmar side has also been installed. Testing of the link between Moreh to Tamu has been successfully completed by TCIL.

(Action : Deptt. of Telecom)

S.No.3. : Need to improve mobile connectivity.

Most of the border villages/towns are located in close vicinity to zero line of international border where there was no permission for wireless service. However, it has been agreed to provide mobile services along the border areas (upto 500 meters from the international border).

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

S.No.1. : Ministry of Home Affairs to consider relaxation of PAP/RAP restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

MHA has received proposals from State Governments and the final orders have been issued in the case of Arunachal Pradesh for relaxation of PAP/RAP restrictions in May 2008. Proposals from the States of Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim are still under examination by MHA. (Action : MHA)

12 MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

S.No.1. : Declaring Ashuganj as port of call.

The status is as shown against S.No.6. under the actionable points for Ministry of External Affairs.

DEPARTMENT OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

No representative from DORTH attended the meeting. An update will be taken from them. However, the existing status is stated below.

S.No.1. : To negotiate transit facilities through Bangladesh.

Same as S.No.8 under the actionable points for Ministry of External Affairs.

S.No.2. : Time bound realistic implementation of plan for creating internal physical connectivity amongst States to efficiently couple with the infrastructure across the border.

Status: There are three major projects of the DORTH to achieve internal connectivity amongst States.

 SARDP-NE to connect district headquarters to the nearest National Highway and other roads of strategic importance.

 NHDP-II, East West Corridor upto Silchar in Assam. Work is slow, specially in NC hills and in the stretch between Lumding to Silchar (186 km of fresh road).

 NHDP-III, to link the State capitals to the East West Corridor. NHDP-III has not yet started.

(Action : DORTH)

13 S.No.3. : Improving old Stilwell road connecting NER to Myanmar and to Kunming in China. Improving road connectivity from Ledo to Pangsu Pass (Arunachal Pradesh) on the Indo-Myanmar border.

Status: 57 kms of the Stilwell road is in India stretching from Lekhapani (Assam) to Pangsu Pass. From Lekhapani (Assam) to Jairampur (Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border) work is in progress for 24 kms. The entire stretch will be completed by March, 2009.

(Action :DORTH)

S.No.4. : NH 39, 53, 150 to be upgraded to four-lane and provision of adequate funds for completing all critical roads in five years

Status: DORTH feels that a good two lane is adequate in the present traffic volume for most NHs in the North East. Hence, four laning is not contemplated by them in the near future. The plan for the various NHs is as follows:  NH-39 is between Numaligarh-Dimapur-Kohima- Imphal-Moreh. The Dimapur-Kohima stretch is covered under SARDP-NE and Kohima-Imphal under NHDP-III.

 NH-53 (300 kms) is between Badarpur (Assam) and Imphal via Jiribam. It is in poor condition. Work has started from Assam side for improving the road to a good two-lane standard and will be completed by March, 2010. 39 Kms within Manipur is presently in a single- lane condition which will be strengthened to two-lane standard.

 NH-150 stretches from Aizawl-Tipaimukh- Churachandpur-Imphal-Ukhrul-Kohima. Around 1/4th of this NH is in good two-lane condition. Ukhrul-Imphal and Kohima-Jessami (at the border of Nagaland and Manipur) are being two-laned. The rest of NH-150 is not covered at the moment as it is not very critical.

(Action : DORTH)

14 Shri D.S.Poonia, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Manipur requested M/DONER to take up the issue with BRO with regard to expeditious completion of the road stretches in Manipur under NH 39 and NH 150. Manipur Govt. may forward the proposal to M/DoNER so that BRO could be appropriately addressed.

(Action : Govt. of Manipur, DoNER, BRO)

S.No.5. : Expedite Trans-Asian Highway

There is no progress on this issue even though it has been under discussion for a long time.

S.No.6. : Improve road connectivity to Moreh-NH 39

Status: The Imphal-Moreh stretch of NH-39 is 110 km. which is already two-laned. There are two weak bridges. There are plans to improve this portion to a good two- lane road. (Action : DORTH)

S.No.7. : Better connectivity to Bangladesh through the National Highways

Status: Highway connection between Bangladesh and the North East Region are as follows:  NH-51 – from Paikon (Assam) to Dalu (Meghalaya) via Tura (147 kms). 47 kms between Tura and Paikon is being taken up for improved two-laning.

 NH-62 – ends at Baghmara in Meghalaya on the Bangladesh border. There are 45 bridges which need improvement and these will be taken up in the next 3-4 years.

 NH-40 – it ends at Dawki (Meghalaya). This route goes through Guwahati-Jorabat-Shillong-Dawki and then onwards to Sylhet and Dhaka. The Dawki-Shillong road is in good condition excepting the bridge on the river Omangote for which work will start in October, 2008.

 NH-151 – Guwahati-Jorabat-Shillong-Karimgunj- Sutarkandi and then onwards to Sylhet and Dhaka. Proposal to make it into a two-lane road is already available. (Action :DORTH)

S.No.8. : Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Project to include improvement, upgradation and construction of a road from Silchar (Assam) – Lawngtlai (Mizoram) – Hmawnabu (Mizoram) – Kaletwa (Myanmar).

The distance between NH 54 at Aizawl and onwards link to Kaletwa (Myanmar) is 662 kms. The road between Silchar-Assam/Mizoram border-Aizawl is covered under NHDP-III. Its development should be in sync with the construction of the link road to Kaladan Project in Mizoram. DORTH may take action on this issue.

(Action :DORTH)

S.No.9. : In the Border Trade Agreement 1994 Champhai (Mizoram) and Rih (Myanmar) have been identified for border trade. GOI should initiate speedy construction of roads between Rih-Tidim and Rih-Falam.

Zokhawthar is a point in Mizoram for border trade with Myanmar. The two important roads on Myanmar side are Ri-Tidim and Rih-Falam. The status is same as stated under S.No.3 of Ministry of External Affairs.

S.No.10. : Widening of Seleing-Champhai road

S.No.11.: Upgradation of Champhai to Zokhawthar(28 Kms)

S.No.12. : Upgradation of road from Aizawl to Champhai

Status from S.No.10-12:

From Aizawl to Champai, there is a single lane road a part of which is being taken up under SARDP-NE, Phase- B. Further status will be provided by DORTH.

(Action : DORTH)

S.No.13. : Extension of the East West Corridor road network beyond Silchar to Agartala. At the same time to link it to Akhaura (Bangladesh) to provide seamless service transshipment network for movement of goods & passengers.

The Committee was informed that the scope of East West Corridor has been frozen and there is no scope of extension from Silchar to Agartala. However, DORTH has proposal to join all eight NE State capitals by a four lane road under NHDP-III. Latest status will be provided by DORTH. (Action :DORTH)

MINISTRIES OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

S.No.1. : Setting up an International Institute of Linguistics in Shillong to teach South Asian languages. Teaching of languages and research on socio, political, economic issues of neighbouring countries in universities and research institutions of the NER.

The Manipur University in Imphal, a Central University, is teaching Burmese and Japanese language in its language school. Secretary, DONER suggested that the more languages from neighbouring countries and South-East Asia should be taught in the Universities of NER. M/DONER will consider setting up International Institute of Linguistics to teach languages of the neighbouring countries and South-East Asia in the region. (Action :DoNER, Ministry of HRD)

S.No.2. : People to People interaction through cultural and educational exchanges and promotion of tourism.

Same as that of Additional Points indicated below.

17 ADDITIONAL POINTS

S.No.1. : How NE States can benefit from Indo-ASEAN Cooperation

Educational Exchange programmes (EEP) by the Ministry of HRD are being reviewed in so far as the ASEAN are concerned, in order to encourage more interaction between students, teachers and institutions from the North Eastern region with countries in South East Asia.

Since the early nineties, the engagement between India and ASEAN countries has deepened through trade and investment. The North East States have not benefited from this exchange so far. An agreement on ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity was signed in November 2004. There is also a ‘Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peach, Progress and Shared Prosperity’ which provides for cooperation in social, tourism, culture, people-to-people contacts, media, entertainment and sports. It will be worthwhile to take this forward with MEA as to how the NE States can benefit from this partnership agreement between India and ASEAN.

M/DONER will take it up with MEA that activities under Indo-ASEAN Cooperation should also focus on the needs of the North Eastern Region particularly with reference to contacts and exchanges of cultural organizations, sports persons, media, students, etc.

Commissioner (Industry), Assam suggested that there should be exposure visits for the elected representatives of the State Assemblies to the neighbouring countries specially China.

(Action : DoNER, MEA)

Meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

* * * *

18 Annexure

List of Participants

First Meeting of the Task Force on Look East Policy held on 21.7.2008 in the Committee Room of M/DoNER

Ministry of DoNER 1. Smt. V.S. Rao, Secretary -In Chair 2. Ms. Jayashree Mukherjee, Joint Secretary 3. Shri S.C. Sharma, Director 4. Shri S.K. Saha, Section Officer

Ministry of Commerce 5. Shri Neeraj K. Gupta, Joint Secretary

Ministry of External Affairs 6. Shri Charanjeet Singh, Deputy Secretary(MER)

Ministry of Railways 7. Shri Vijay Garg, Director(Works)

Department of Border Management(MHA) 8. Shri A. Anbarasu, Deputy Secretary(BM)

Border Roads Organisation 9. Shri S.K. Pandey, Director(Works) 10. Shri R.K. Agrawal, Deputy Director(Works)

North Eastern Council 11. Shri M.S. Sodhi, Adviser(T&C)

Government of Arunachal Pradesh 12. Shri S.Dubey, OSD

Government of Assam 13. Shri R. Capoor, Commissioner & Secy, Industry & Commerce

Government of Manipur 14. Shri D.S. Poonia, Principal Secretary(Planning) 15. Shri V. Raj Rai, Deputy Resident Commissioner

Government of Mizoram 16. Shri Vanlalhuma, Secretary(Trade & Commerce) 17. Shri V. Lalremthanga, Resident Commissioner 18. Shri Lianchung Nunga, Chief Engineer(PWD) 19. Shri A. Maitra, Financial Adviser

Government of Nagaland 20. Ms. Khrienuo, Deputy Resident Commissioner

Government of Tripura 21. Shri Sanjeev Ranjan, Resident Commissioner

Government of Sikkim 22. Shri Arvind Kumar, Resident Commissioner

Inland Waterways Authority of India 23. Shri R.P. Khare, Director

APEDA 24. Shri Pravin Gupta, General Manager 25. Shri Vijender Kumar, Consultant