<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><font color="#222222">Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Central Government is focusing more on funding and infrastructure development in the entire North Eastern area for better connectivity. The Finance Minister informed that Union Government is giving emphasise on the development of National waterways in the country for their immense possibilities. The government is also developing the infrastructures of waterways for seamless connectivity as waterways can provide cost-effective logistic services. The Union Minister was addressing the valedictory session of the 3rd Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI), 2022 conclave in Guwahati today.</font></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Mrs. Sitharaman said that North Eastern states are the gateway to the entire southeast Asian region and better connectivity can bring greater tourism and commerce to this region.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Sitharaman said that the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma said that Assam has a large potential for river connectivity and his government is working to tap this. He also informed that Assam will be a hub for river cruises in entire Asia and working constantly to improve the infrastructure in this sector.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Sarma said that Assam being the gateway of North East India has the potential to be the sunrise region and is working tirelessly to be the industrial hub of India.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">NADI recognizes the region south of the Himalayas from Ganga and Brahmaputra to the Mekong as contiguity of river basins with common challenges that require close cooperation beyond their political borders. It uses the symbols and narratives of shared rivers and shared waters to encourage shared ideas on collaboration with an emphasis on 5Cs: Connectivity, Culture, Commerce, Conservation, and Collaboration in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin. It is also aimed at building confidence in the key role of the North-Eastern region in taking forward India's strategic initiative for energy and water security in the neighborhood, and the Bay of Bengal region leading towards a vibrant and secure Indo-Pacific.  </span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Diplomats of several countries, top experts and scientists, and other dignitaries also attended this conclave.</span></p>