Northeast can help improve India-Bangladesh ties: Dipu Moni

"There is enormous scope for investment by Bangladeshi businessmen in the rubber, fruit processing and bamboo sectors," Ahmed said.

"Since these resources are found aplenty in Tripura and other northeastern states, businessmen from Bangladesh can easily invest in the region," he said.

He, however, added that to achieve the goal both countries must come together to help investors and industrialists.

Alok Sen, former Indian ambassador to Myanmar, said: "As the Modi government seemed to have a firm policy direction, the closeness between northeast India and neighbouring countries might be improved using the extremely innovative 'Look-East Policy'."

He said the 'Look-East Policy' would be successful when the actual harnessing of northeast India's resources and importance in context with the prospective neighbours started.

"Northeastern states, though resourceful, cannot do anything on their own unless they join with their neighbours. Political understanding is very vital for this purpose," Sen said.

Jabin Jacob, a fellow of New Delhi-based Institute of Chinese Studies, said northeastern region can be an educational hub taking lessons from various provinces of China.

"Developing languages and culture could be vital tools for improving relations among neighbouring countries," he added.

Tripura chief secretary S.K. Panda and US-based networking expert Saumen Sarkar were among others who spoke in the conclave.