Partition broke NE's natural connectivity : S Jaishankar ‘NE States now moving forward’

NEW DELHI, Apr 29
In the first few decades after the partition, the Northeast did not enjoy the advantages which other parts of the country did because of political barriers and administrative issues, says External Affairs Minister
New Delhi, Apr 29 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the partition of India in many ways broke the natural connectivity of the North Eastern States and impacted the growth in the area due to political barriers as well as administrative issues.
Jaishankar was addressing an event in Delhi University's Kirori Mal College on the topic 'North East India's Integration with South East Asia and Japan: Balancing Economic Ties and Ecological Conservation'.
"The consequence of the partition of India broke in many ways the natural connectivity that the North East had or would have enjoyed. As a result of that, the levels of growth that the North East should have seen was slowed down. In the first few decades after the partition, the North East did not enjoy the advantages which other parts of the country did because of political barriers and administrative issues," Jaishankar said while speaking to students. The Union Minister added that the current economic stability in the North East is moving towards a stronger front.
"What we are seeing now, honestly should have come much earlier if history had been kinder to us. As I always say, for India to look east, Delhi should first look east and see the North East. It is then the potential and the possibilities of the North East will be fully appreciated," he said.