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India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and the Role of Northeast India
Introduction:
India’s Indo-Pacific vision is evolving with strategic outreach, economic partnerships, and security collaborations.The Northeast Region (NER) is crucial to this vision due to its geopolitical significance, economic potential, and socio-cultural linkages. A holistic approach is needed to integrate internal development with India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Significance of Northeast India in India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
- Geostrategic Importance: NER is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, sharing 96% of its borders with neighboring countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and China.
NER as a Business and Investment Hub
Attracting Investments and Industrial Growth
- Northeast Global Investors Summit (2023) aimed at branding NER as a gateway to ASEAN markets.
- Future investments should focus on:
- Handicrafts, agriculture, cold-chain infrastructure, and tourism.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for industrial growth.
- Japan, UK, and ASEAN partnerships for infrastructure development.
- Act East Policy (AEP): Transformed from the Look East Policy (1991), AEP (2014) aims to integrate NER into India’s Indo-Pacific engagements.
- Economic Potential: Rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, minerals, and hydroelectric potential.
- Security Dimensions: Countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific requires strengthening NER’s connectivity and security framework.
How NER Policy Reorientation can be done to suit India’s Indo- Pacific strategy
- Recognizing State-Specific Potential
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- NER should not be treated as a homogeneous entity; each state has distinct economic, social, and cultural attributes.
- Encouraging competition among states can foster efficiency and entrepreneurship.
- Example: Manipur’s medical tourism and biodiversity research can be key economic drivers.
- Sensitivity to Indigenous Identity and Concerns
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- Strong indigenous identity influences policy responses.
- Resistance to policies such as:
- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019: Led to demands for Inner Line Permit (ILP) extension in Meghalaya.
- Railway expansion: Fear of demographic changes and loss of indigenous rights.
- Solution: Promoting cultural exchanges with Indo-Pacific nations to bridge trust deficits.
- Leveraging Regional and Sub-Regional Groupings
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- NER is a crucial link to nine regional and sub-regional groupings:
- ASEAN, East Asia Summit, SAARC, BIMSTEC, APTA, SASEC, APEC, Greater Mekong Sub-region, and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.
- NER is a crucial link to nine regional and sub-regional groupings:
- The Bay of Bengal serves as the outer circle of the Indo-Pacific, making NER vital to maritime engagement.
- Expanding Connectivity and Development Avenues
- Diversification Beyond Land-Based Connectivity
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- Overemphasis on land connectivity ignores riverine transport potential.
- NER has 1,800 km of navigable river routes, boosting trade and cultural ties with Southeast Asia.
- Investments in shipping routes, waterways, and maritime connectivity align with Indo-Pacific goals.
- Economic Modernization and Infrastructure Upgradation
- Modernizing roadways, railways, and bridges to enhance connectivity.
- Expanding hydroelectric power stations for energy security.
- PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (2021) as a model for multi-ministerial coordination.
- Enhancing Institutional Coordination
- Strengthening MEA’s Collaboration with Domestic Ministries
- Foreign and domestic policies must not operate in isolation.
- MEA, MHA, and MDoNER should collaborate for effective implementation.
- Knowledge-sharing mechanisms and structured policy coordination.
- Security and Border Management
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- Smart surveillance and border management to enhance security.
- India-Bangladesh border fencing to curb illegal immigration.
- India-Myanmar border security to counter insurgencies and arms trafficking.
Challenges Hindering NER’s Integration into Indo-Pacific Strategy
- Security Concerns and Insurgency
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- Ethnic insurgencies, cross-border terrorism, and proxy wars persist.
- Armed conflicts disrupt economic activities.
- Example: Manipur witnessed 163 insurgency-related fatalities in 2023.
- Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958 and Disturbed Areas Act 1976 continue to be enforced.
- Infrastructure and Trade Deficit
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- NER’s trade with ASEAN remains low, despite its geographical advantage.
- 95% of India’s formal trade with eastern and Southeast Asian neighbors originates outside NER.
- Lack of storage, rail, and road facilities hinders economic growth.
- Resistance to Development Projects
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- Local communities resist large-scale projects over fears of:
- Displacement, environmental damage, and demographic changes.
- Example: Opposition to dam projects affecting traditional livelihoods.
- Local communities resist large-scale projects over fears of:
Way Forward: Realistic Policy Reorientation
- Balancing Security and Development: Address insurgency and ethnic conflicts while ensuring inclusive development.
- Strengthening Formal Trade Mechanisms: Improve border trade mechanisms to enhance NER’s contribution to Indo-Pacific trade.
- Enhanced Infrastructure Development: Prioritize rail, road, and air connectivity for economic integration.
- People-Centric Policies
- Ensure local participation in decision-making.
- Prevent erosion of traditional livelihoods.
- International Collaborations: Leverage Japan, the UK, and ASEAN partnerships for infrastructure investment.
- Encouraging Private Sector Participation: Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and offer incentives to attract industries.
- Reorientation of Security Approach: Community-driven counterinsurgency strategies instead of militarised responses.
