Newly elected Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, James PK Sangma, on Thursday said India’s territorial integrity must be protected at all costs amid concerns over reported attempts to push Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory, while also stressing the need to strengthen border infrastructure and expand trade ties with Bangladesh.
Speaking shortly after receiving his Certificate of Election, Sangma said safeguarding national security and securing the country’s borders would remain a top priority, particularly for Meghalaya, which shares a long international boundary with Bangladesh. His remarks come at a time when border management and security concerns have gained renewed attention following reports of attempted cross-border push-ins along sections of the Indo-Bangladesh frontier.
“The territorial integrity of India must be maintained at all costs. Government agencies are already addressing these concerns. I will extend my full support to what ever work has been done by Government of India at securing our borders and upholding national security,” Sangma said.
The newly elected parliamentarian on the pending border fencing with Bangladesh, said he would take up the completion of pending projects, including border fencing and other unfinished schemes, in consultation with both the State and Central Governments.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s strategic location, Sangma said the State stands to benefit significantly from enhanced border trade and greater economic engagement with Bangladesh.
“For Meghalaya as a state of we have to look at border trade, rather than look East, look South makes more sense to us. There will be lot of collaboration and interaction with the ministry of commerce and industry to explore to see more ways and means of increasing the trade,” the new MP said.
Sangma was elected unopposed to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya as the consensus candidate of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, which enjoys a comfortable 51 legislators support in the 60-member State Assembly.
Expressing gratitude after being formally declared elected, Sangma said, “I feel deeply humbled and honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility. Representing Meghalaya in the Rajya Sabha is a significant responsibility, and I intend to discharge it with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment.”
