NE future depends on ties with neighbours.

GUWAHATI, Feb 1 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the future of Northeast depends on the relationship with its eastern neighbouring countries, reports PTI.
North-East and South East Asia were inter dependent and the future of the region depends on its relationship with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, Gogoi said at the inaugural session of 'Maitree Summit, 2013 - India Bangladesh High Potential Leaders Dialogue on Peace', organised here by Youth Forum on Foreign Policy (YFFP).
Addressing the inaugural session, titled 'India and Bangladesh: Shared History and Geography', the Chief minister highlighted the shared cultural and geographical ties between the two countries.
''There are problems such as a porous border and smuggling as well as sharing of river waters but we also share some common problems like flood and erosion by the mighty Brahmaputra'', Gogoi said.
British Deputy High Commissioner (Eastern India) Sanjay Wadhwani said on the occasion that the Northeast had witnessed gradual development over the years and also emphasized the role of trade in enhancing ties.
Wadhwani, however, admitted that there were still considerable hurdles in various sector but the Northeast could achieve its full potential with concerted effort.
International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League Dr Shazzad Haider highlighted the initiatives taken by the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangaldesh to address the water dispute between India and Bangladesh. He also emphasised the need to develop a joint platform between India and Bangladesh to develop India's Northeast region.
The summit also held different sessions on 'Bridging the Gap through academic cooperation', 'Labour and skill development in 21st century' and 'Infrastructure concerns of India and Bangladesh'.
President of the Commonwealth Asia Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Rahul Mirchandani, speaking at the session on 'Infrastructure concerns of India and Bangladesh', pointed out that the key issue to fuel economic growth was by improvement in infrastructure and the first issue was the building of knowledge infrastructure to support innovation.

The event was supported by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata and Embassy ofBangladesh in India. The 2013 Maitree Summit is part of a series of conferences that YFFP intends to hold with India's neighbouring countries.
The summit included panel discussions, cultural visits, and interactions with representatives of the Government of Assam. The main theme of the summit isInternational Relations, Industry, Education, Socio-economic development and Governance.
The participants discussed issues of common interest from the perspective of both India and Bangladesh to pave way for long-term mutually beneficial tie up and growth. Gaurav Gogoi, secretary, Youth Forum on Foreign Policy greeted all the dignitaries and hoped the discussion taking place in the summit will be carried forward and impacts on the strategic development for mutual benefit. The Youth Forum on Foreign Policy is an initiative that seeks to develop a positive dialogue on foreign policy issues among India's youth and to ensure that India's foreign policy is more responsive.

Courtesy: collect by VOA team.