Q.Explain the main focus of the introduction of Act East Policy of India to the North Eastern Region.

The Act East Policy (an upgrade of India's earlier 'Look East Policy') is focused on strengthening India's economic, strategic and cultural ties with South East Asian/ASEAN countries, with the North Eastern Region placed at the centre of this strategy because of its shared land border with Myanmar and proximity to South East Asia.

Main focus for the North Eastern Region:

1. Improving connectivity: Developing roads, railways, waterways, and border trade points linking the North East with Myanmar and onward to South East Asia (e.g., projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project), overcoming the region's historic geographic isolation from the rest of India.

2. Boosting trade and economic integration: Promoting cross-border trade and investment through the North East with ASEAN nations, opening new markets for the region's products and positioning it as a hub rather than a remote periphery.

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