Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Saturday, 3 May 2025, said the Northeast is increasingly being recognised as a key driver of national growth and strategic engagement, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the region as 'Ashtalakshmi'. The Governor made the remarks during a meeting with Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, a development economist and Chair of the Pangsau Pass Trade Study Group (2022), at Lok Bhavan in Itanagar.

Key Developments at the Meeting

Prof. Lama formally submitted a comprehensive set of reports to the Governor, including findings and policy recommendations from the Pangsau Pass Trade Study — an initiative commissioned by the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce of the Arunachal Pradesh government. Sonyung Modi, Director of the Trade and Commerce Department, was also present at the meeting.

According to a Raj Bhavan official, the two discussed regional connectivity, economic transformation, and the strategic future of India's eastern frontier. Prof. Lama drew on extensive field research to outline the evolving development dynamics of Northeast India and highlighted the potential of reconnecting Arunachal Pradesh with Southeast Asian economies through historic trade routes such as the Pangsau Pass.

The 'Act East, Act Fast' Vision

Governor Parnaik underscored that under the Government of India's 'Act East' policy and the more proactive 'Act Fast' approach, Arunachal Pradesh is poised to play a pivotal role as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. He appreciated the depth of the study, noting that evidence-based policy inputs are vital for shaping the state's growth trajectory.

The Governor reiterated that the resolve to Act East and Act Fast reflects India's commitment to harnessing the region's full potential — spanning connectivity, border trade facilitation, and infrastructure development that could catalyse livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to integrate the Northeast more deeply into India's economic and geopolitical outreach.

Security and Development: A Balanced Approach

Lt. Gen. Parnaik (Retd) also highlighted the importance of addressing security considerations alongside development initiatives, particularly in sensitive border areas. He emphasised that sustainable progress must be anchored in a balanced approach that safeguards national interests while enabling economic opportunities for local communities — a nuance often absent from mainstream discussions on Northeast development.

Nathu La Study Also Presented

Separately, Prof. Lama presented the Nathu La Trade Study Group report to the Governor, recalling Lt. Gen. Parnaik's earlier tenure as General Officer Commanding in Sikkim during the reopening of the historic Nathu La trade route. The presentation underscored the Governor's longstanding engagement with trans-Himalayan trade corridors and border connectivity issues.

With policy recommendations now formally submitted, the focus shifts to whether the Centre and the Arunachal Pradesh government will translate the Pangsau Pass study's findings into actionable infrastructure and trade facilitation measures.