Centre for Contemporary China Studies team in Mizoram
AIZAWL: Mizoram Governor General Dr Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) Tuesday interacted with the multi-disciplinary team from the Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, during their visit to the northeastern region.
The Governor commended the CCCS team for their important work and stressed the importance of deeply understanding local dynamics and perspectives on the ground before arriving at policy decisions. He remarked that it is essential to know the people first to avoid potential errors in judgment.
Highlighting Mizoram’s key characteristics, he described the state as primarily an agriculture-based economy currently facing a revenue deficit. He noted that the state is progressing steadily, with significant infrastructure development underway and overall advancement being pursued vigorously.
Dr Vijay Kumar Singh described Mizoram as a well-organised society—one of the most peaceful states in India—with no major inter-tribal rivalries and strong political stability. He informed the team that, for the first time in its history, Aizawl has appeared on India’s railway map.
The ongoing railway project includes plans to extend the railway line to southern Mizoram connecting with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which is expected to significantly transform the face of Northeast India. The Governor also highlighted the Central Government’s Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at developing villages along the international borders in Northeast India. He noted that this initiative will bring substantial improvements to border infrastructure.
The CCCS team, led by Ms Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary, CCCS & PPR, Ministry of External Affairs arrived in Mizoram on Monday for a two-day stay. During the interaction at Lok Bhavan, the team shared their observations and insights with the Governor, engaged in discussions, and addressed queries in a productive and fruitful exchange.
The Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), a think tank under India's Ministry of External Affairs, conducts research on contemporary China and provides policy inputs to government departments.
A 12-member multidisciplinary team of officers and research analysts from CCCS is currently visiting Aizawl and other parts of India's North-Eastern Region (March 9-18). The visit aims to orient the team on ground realities along the Indo-Myanmar border and to understand the perspectives of local civil and security administrations.