Itanagar: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing the 38th Statehood Day celebration of Arunachal Pradesh, said that the G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering held in Itanagar during India’s presidency had showcased the frontier state's "potential" to the world.

At the same time, he traced India’s journey from being one of the ‘Fragile Five’ economies to becoming one of the ‘Top Five’ in the world. In 2022, India became the fifth-largest economy in the world, according to the GDP calculations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country is expected to become the third-largest economy in the world with a GDP of $5 trillion in the next three years, as per forecasts.

Dhankhar, at the celebration, also called upon all citizens to emulate the approach towards ecological preservation upheld by the people of Arunachal Pradesh. 

“Your way of life exemplifies coexistence with nature,” he stated. Terming Arunachal Pradesh a 'microcosm of Bharat', he praised the scenic beauty of the state, drawing attention to its “pristine landscape, misty mountains, and lush forests” which made it a haven for tourists. Arunachal Pradesh has several mountains, rivers, streams, valleys, and vegetation and wildlife that are unique to the region, thereby becoming a huge draw for tourists.

During his visit to the state - which was his first - the Vice-President also praised the organic produce of the state for its "credibility and authenticity.".

He also mentioned that large national and international markets exist for such produce. "Enabling government schemes would further expand the reach of such resources", he stated.

Referring to the eight northeastern states or the ‘Ashta Lakshmis’ as the “jewels of India”, he emphasized that India’s cultural fabric was incomplete without the region. Highlighting the “phenomenal and exponential rise” in infrastructure and road, rail, and air connectivity in the region, Dhankhar said that these outcomes reflected the “changing face of Bharat” as well as the spirit of cooperative federalism.

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