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Delhi has to do much more than just develop border infrastructure in Arunachal

Time and again,we hear a cry of anguish from Arunachal Pradesh,transmitted to New Delhi via a minister from the state,sometimes even the chief minister. The latest has been from Arunachals finance and planning minister,Kalikho Pul,who has cautioned the Union government against a Kargil-like situation in the state. The ostensible reason is the persistent fear of Chinas claims over Arunachal,with the minister saying the Chinese marked territory on rocks inside the state. Rapid Chinese infrastructure development across the border on the

Tibetan plateau has sharpened Arunachals picture of deprivation. The Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) has brought Central attention to the Northeast; but despite the government working to develop the region,the Northeast has always needed so much work,and in earnest,that Delhi has had a tough job keeping up. It certainly has been no match for China in developing border infrastructure largely a failure of its political will.

Arunachal,in particular,has always been in need of special attention,in a Northeast needing special attention. Not only is the state strategically important but it also has an extremely thin population density which leaves its remote,border areas practically uninhabited. The need for better road,rail and air connectivity for the state has been periodically reiterated. The people of Arunachal battle rough and remote terrain,with few means of mobility and livelihood as proven when chopper services were suspended in the aftermath of the crash that killed former CM Dorjee Khandu in April. So without commerce and industry Arunachal will languish in its sorry plight. The Northeast as a whole is landlocked and needs access to markets. But,for that,work on the roadways projects will need to be put on a war-footing. Besides,India has to move on building infrastructure and facilitating movement of goods and people to and from the Northeast through Bangladesh.

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As for Arunachal again,the home ministry has wisely relaxed some of the protected area regime to encourage tourism,and the Centre is now set to launch a programme promoting youth activities,to which the prime minister has given his consent.

Arunachal,underdeveloped as it is,also has a lot to give. The hydel projects,which the environment ministry had carelessly called for a moratorium on,are necessary not only for the states prosperity and integration but also for the development of the entire Northeast. In the end,the concern is less about China than Indias capacity to develop its own border regions. In Arunachal,the Union government must keep in mind the larger geopolitical and humanitarian picture.

Amid India’s push to extradite Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, British officials visit Tihar jail to inspect conditions

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A team from the British CPS visited Tihar jail to inspect inmate conditions and security, amidst India's efforts to extradite fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Sanjay Bhandari from the UK. They discussed setting up a specialized enclosure for high-profile prisoners and addressed concerns about violence within the jail. As of 2024, India has made 178 extradition requests to various countries.

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