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EAM S Jaishankar arrives on a 3-day visit to Manipur
he festival was inaugurated on November 21 by the Union DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy at Moirang Khunou near Keibul Lamjao as a part to promote tourism in the state
Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar arrived in Manipur on Saturday on a 3-day visit to the Northeastern state to attend the ongoing ‘Manipur Sangai Festival 2022’.
Sangai is the state’s biggest tourism promotion festival and is celebrated at 13 different venues across Manipur.
After landing at the Bir Tikendrajit International airport where he was by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit leaders, Jaishankar, without any delay, attended an interactive session held at Classic Grande Hotel in the capital Imphal organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry moderated by MEA Joint Secretary (ED) Md Noor Rahman Sheikh.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaishankar said the central government was working to improve connectivity, health care system, trade, food, and infrastructure in the Northeast.
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On Medical tourism with South Asian countries, he said every part of India is growing with medical tourists. “Most people in Gulf nations come to hospitals in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Central Asia to Delhi, Indian Ocean to Thiruvandapuram and Chennai.”
“To me, there is an absolute sense that we develop Northeast as a hub for medical tourism,” he said.
On the issue of Myanmar, Jaishankar said the government is facing the same challenge up to some extent in Afghanistan, “...But we still have a people-to-people relationship going on. So in our future engagement with Myanmar, I will address some of these issues.”
Prior to attending the cultural evening, Jaishanakar also attended an interactive session with the students of Manipur University and other institutions in the state at the city convention centre in East Imphal district.
“Pleased to interact with students and professionals in Imphal, Manipur. Spoke about the intensity of the globalised world and it’s impact on their lives,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar further stated that India’s G20 presidency will be celebrated at various places across the country, including Manipur.
Later on Saturday evening, Jaishankar attended the cultural evening session of the Sangai festival with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan Singh at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal.
“Pleasure to attend the Sangai Festival that brings together the land of jewels, Manipur. Thank CM@NBirenSinghfor his gracious hospitality.Wonderful to witness the fabulous exposition of Manipur’s heritage & traditions in the performances,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The festival was inaugurated on November 21 by the Union DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy at Moirang Khunou near Keibul Lamjao as a part to promote tourism in the state.
Lamjao is the only National floating park in the world which is the natural habitat of the state animal Sangai (Brow antlered deer).
