Diplomatic initiatives need to be converted into commercial opportunities: Pranab Mukherjee

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday hinted at a new paradigm of development in the Look East Policy by blending foreign policy with economic development.

New Delhi, Oct 31 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday hinted at a new paradigm of development in the 'Look East Policy' by blending foreign policy with economic development.

Mukherjee met the Chief Ministers of all the northeastern States here today, and discussed the country's Look East policy with them.

The meeting focused on improving connectivity and strengthening political as well as economic ties with neighbouring countries to develop economic activities.

"Given that we have over 15 years of pursuing our Look East Policy, put in place certain diplomatic and political structures, there is need now to make these structures work for our North Eastern Region. Diplomatic initiatives urgently need to be converted into commercial opportunities," Mukherjee said.

Participating Chief Ministers also discussed how to improve the infrastructure and telecommunication network within the states and linking them to the Southeast Asian countries.

Also, the future potential for export, tourism and the possibility of institutional cooperation in training and research was discussed.

"We have felt for some time the need to focus the benefits of this cooperation more sharply on our North Eastern Region, which is a natural bridge between India and South East Asia," he added.

Look East Policy was initiated by former Prime Minister late Narasimha Rao in the early 1990s, almost fifteen years back, and has yielded many benefits including closer and strategic contacts between India and South East Asian countries.

ANI