Migration, Cross-border trade and Economic Development: The Case of India’s North East

Economic development of the bordering regions, cross border trade and migration seem to be positively correlated. Migration is an omnipresent demographic phenomenon which results in population redistribution within or across the national boundaries. A migrant, who crosses the national boundaries possess some natural advantages in overcoming inadequate information about trading and investment opportunities in their domestic economies. Through greater cross border movements, peoples are also more likely to become aware of new opportunities. They can also enhance the reputation of the domestic investment climate in their host country. A reasonable migration is, therefore, likely to have a greater impact on trade and economy of the host country. What is the main concern is the question of migration that has entered illegally from across the national boundaries. Such illegal migration has become deceive political issue in the host country and it is viewed as a serious social as well as economic problem. Keywords: cross border trade; illegal migration; regional security; Resource-Industry-Trade Linkage; informal trade; unidirectional trade; border management policy; economic cooperation; Opportunities.