Keywords
Northeast India
Regional Connectivity
Western Development Programme
Yunnan Province
How to Cite
Abstract
This paper compares the Western Development Programme (WDP) of China in Yunnan Province and the Act East Policy (AEP) of India. These two initiatives are formulated to integrate borderland regions with Southeast Asia. Accordingly, the centre-periphery theory, border studies scholarship, and securitisation form the analytical framework. The study explains that Yunnan’s transformation under the WDP is an example of sustained infrastructure investment, policy continuity, and cross-border economic integration. In concurrence, WDP has helped bring about transformation in the historically marginalised and ethnically diverse Yunnan province. On the contrary, India’s AEP is beset with implementation loopholes. The AEP has made comparatively less progress than WDP due to a lack of infrastructure and security concerns, compounded by bureaucratic inefficiencies in northeast India. Thus, northeast India attracts less investment. The paper concludes by proposing lessons for India in the light of WDP. As a result, the paper contributes to understanding borderland development strategies and regional integration processes in India and China.
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