"For the success of Act East Policy, the North East Region has to be strengthened first," Sharma said during an interaction with academicians from abroad and across the country, who attended a seminar in Mizoram University, last night.
He expressed optimism on materialisation of the Act East Policy, but added that it was important to develop the region first and secure better relations with countries bordering the North East.
The region would soon be the gateway of India to South Asia, he said.