What are the issues faced in the development of trade and industries in the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India? Comment on the measures that have been taken to tackle these issues.

Issues in trade & industrialization in NER.

1. Geographical Issues → Diverse topography (e.g. Purvanchal, Brahmaputra plains & Plateau) → Vulnerability of floods, landslides. → Chicken neck corridor dilemma of Indian mainstream reach.

2. Security Issues → Armed Groups (Militants e.g. ULFA, NSCN) with disrupted law & order. → Vicinity to Golden Triangle Laos /
   Myanmar--Thailand

→ Ethnic disputes (civil wars)

Ethnic disputes (civil wars) | |-- Insider-Outsider (e.g. Assam V/s Illegal Immigrants) | |-- within region (e.g. Meiteis & Kukis in Manipur)

1. Economic Issues. → Primitive living of tribes with low skill set. → Fragile ecology hampering economic goals.

• e.g. - Palm oil v/s Monoculture fears.
• Mining v/s Kopilli River crisis.

1. Administrative Issues → Assymetrical Federalism with Autonomous Councils (difficulty in implementation of National or state development Plans). → less outreach of Education & Health measures to this region.

Measures taken.

1. Policies for development → PM DeVINE → NMOP Palm oil. → Niti Aayog's North East Council.

2. Security measures to contain unrest. → AFSPA in disturbed regions → Negotiations e.g. Naga Peace talks. → Operation Sunrise with Myanmar.

3. International Programmes for connectivity → Kaladaan Multi model Project with Myanmar → IMT Trilateral Highway. → land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, 2015.