US keen to collaborate with Mizoram on connectivity, solid waste management, cyber security

AIZAWL: The US is keen to collaborate with Mizoram on connectivity, solid waste management, cyber security, research, and development in the military, Kolkata-based US Consul General Melinda Pavek said. According to a Mizoram government official on Wednesday, during the past two days, Melinda Pavek held separate meetings with state Health Minister R. Lalthanglian, Chief Secretary Renu Sharma, and other leaders on various collaborative efforts.

Melinda Pavek said that apart from land and air connectivity, human mobility, and visa issuance for students and businesses, collaborative efforts can be undertaken in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship to work with US industries, solid waste management, cyber security, research, and development in the military, as per the official. People-to-people, government-to-government, and multilateral collaboration can also be undertaken, the head of the US Consulate General in Kolkata said.

She expressed that the relationship between India and the United States would only get stronger in the future. Consul General Melinda Pavek pointed out that collaboration in four areas would bring in more fields for collaboration and improve the relationship between them. The Chief Secretary apprised the Consulate General of various initiatives and projects undertaken by the Mizoram government for peace, prosperity, and development in the state. He also spoke about the potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the fields of connectivity, tourism, food processing, health care, the business sector, bamboo development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and expressed that collaboration in such sectors could result in improving the livelihood and living standards of the people of Mizoram.

In another meeting, Health Minister Lalthangliana highlighted the state's strategic location with respect to its international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh and added that peace and tranquilly within the state can act as an avenue for international trade and investment. He looked forward to having closer cooperation and coordination with the US Consulate General of Kolkata and requested the Consul General facilitate exchange programmes for students and faculty and provide scholarships for the needy students of the state.

Lalthangliana mentioned that Mizoram has the lowest infant mortality rate (IMR) and has ranked first among small states in the recently released NITI Aayog's Health Index. He also stated that Mizoram has the second highest literacy rate in India (after Kerala) and praised the efforts of the church, NGOs, and local communities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

While mentioning certain developments and ongoing projects in the state, such as JICA's (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) funded Cancer Superspeciality Hospital, the installation of oxygen plants in all districts, the addition of ICU beds, and the World Bank-funded Mizoram State Health System Strengthening Project, the Minister also asserted the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria, and TB in the state and called for better cooperation to eradicate such diseases from the state.

India is a partner country, not an assistance country, for the United States, the Consul General said, and stressed the need for identifying, understanding, and combating together the problems and struggles of the state, like HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc.

The Consul General welcomed enthusiastic students and faculties to continue their education and research in the United States. She encouraged both students and researchers to avail themselves of the help of the US-India Education Foundation (USIEF), the Education USA team, Fullbright scholarships, and online access to American libraries. She also visited Mizoram University and had interactions with the student body, research scholars, and representatives of all departments. She also highlighted the bilateral ties between India and the United States and how to get a US visa. Collaborations between the students of India and the US are one of the government's priorities, she said.

Consul General Melinda Pavek also met Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at the Raj Bhawan in Aizawl on Tuesday night and discussed the above affairs. (IANS)