The seven north-eastern states of India during the last six decades of isolation have braved enormous difficulties. Beginning with the impact of partition, liberation of Bangladesh, influx of people from outside and continuing conflicts based on caste, tribe, language, race and religion, there is also a flip-side to the bad governance and economic woes of the people of this region. Their geographical and cultural proximity with the South-East Asian countries make the area to be of enormous economic importance in the future. This book argues how the region's trade with various neighbouring countries if facilitated and encouraged, and if efforts are made for greater convenience in international trade through the simplification of economic activities such as movement of goods, people and services across borders, the region can blossom to its full potential. But for this, the Centre has first to realize the urgent need to 'open-up' than to 'lock up' the area in order to provide 'security' to the people. One of the first studies of its kind, this volume highlights in detail the north-east's central position vis--vis Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the rest of South-East Asia.