Asian Confluence organises Round Table Interaction with Mr Lim Sang Woo, Acting Ambassador, Embassy of Republic of Korea to India

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

Asian Confluence Launches the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies

This 75-minute experimental cinematic journey tells the untold story of Satyavati—the enigmatic and often overlooked mother of sage Vyasa—whose role in the Mahabharata is typically overshadowed by the epic’s grand battles and patriarchal heroes.

ASSAM RIFLES ORGANISES SYMPOSIUM “NORTHEAST INDIA : 2030 & BEYOND” IN AGARTALA

Chill in India-Bangladesh ties taking heavy toll on cross-border trade and infrastructure

Assam Rifles hosts symposium on Northeast India's future in Agartala

Northeast India 2030 & Beyond: Assam Rifles holds symposium

Assam Rifles Hosts Strategic Symposium on Northeast India’s Future in Agartala

China’s Great Bend Dam to Make Brahmaputra Basin Water-Deficient: Dr Ranbir Singh

Experts highlight risk of Great Bend Dam on Brahmaputra River

The seminar sought to foster a collaborative dialogue between governmental agencies, civil society organizations, environmental practitioners, and academicians on the immense challenges posed by the proposed dam in Tibet, amidst the looming threat of climate change.

Global experts have expressed deep concern over China’s proposed “Great Bend Dam” by China on Yarlung Tsangpo, as Brahmaputra is known in Tibet, during a seminar held in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Experts flag concerns over China’s proposed dam at the ‘Great Bend’

‘China’s Proposed Mega Dam To Severely Affect The Downstream Regions Of NE India’

China's proposed 'Great Bend Dam' could result in water deficient Brahmaputra: Experts

Global Experts Express Concern Over China's Mega Dam Plan On Yarlong Tsangpo

Experts Warn China’s Great Bend Dam Could Threaten Brahmaputra, Trigger Water Crisis in Northeast

Experts raise concern over dam

A 2020 report by the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based think tank, noted that controlling these rivers effectively gives China a stranglehold on India’s economy. The dam also threatens the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, home to critically endangered species.

Experts raise concern over China’s ‘Great Bend Dam’ and its potential impact on Brahmaputra

China's proposed 'Great Bend Dam' could result in water deficient Brahmaputra: Experts

Participating in a daylong seminar titled

China’s mega dam will be ‘water bomb’: Arunachal MP

China may pick next Dalai Lama to alter Himalayan Buddhist demography: BJP MP Tapir Gao

BJP MP Tapir Gao expresses concern over proposed Great Bend Dam, calls it a 'water bomb'

Arunachal MP Tapir Gao Warns Of ‘Devastating’ Impact On Northeast India From China’s Great Bend Dam

https://theprint.in/world/experts-express-concern-over-great-bend-dam-in-china/2582215/

Speaking at a seminar in Guwahati titled “Ensuring Water Security, Ecological Integrity, and Disaster Resilience in the Sub-Himalayan Region: The Case of the Brahmaputra”, Gao reminded the gathering of the June 2000 flood disaster, caused by the sudden release of water from the upper reaches of the river in Tibet.

BJP MP Tapir Gao

Asian Confluence hosted a delegation of top scientists, researchers, and scholars specialising in climate change, meteorology, and environmental studies from the UK and India.

Asian Confluence hosted a delegation of top scientists, researchers and scholars specialising in climate change, meteorology and environmental studies from the UK and India. The delegation, led by Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East & Northeast India, participated in an engaging and thought-provoking networking meet.

Japanese Ambassador Ono Keiichi highlighted his government’s adherence to the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ concept to argue convincingly that enhancing connectivity and building industrial value chains in the Bay of Bengal region is essential for cre... Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com//opinion/a-new-gateway-in-the-northeast-3403016

Assam Seeks to set up a Japanese industrial town near Guwahati for Industrial Growth

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the fifth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave. The two-day conclave has been organized by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of External Affairs, has brought experts, policymakers and stakeholders from India and Japan. Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-inaugurates-fifth-edition-of-the-india-japan-intellectual-conclave/articleshow/118006050.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Himanta Biswa Sarma highlights the historical bonds between India and Japan at the two-day conclave

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urges India-Japan collaboration to boost regional semiconductor industry Highlights Assam's strategic benefits and state support for chip sector growth

Assam CM Himanta Biswa attends India-Japan Intellectual Conclave

The event, organised by Asian Confluence, saw the participation of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both the countries.

Meghalaya-Japan ties set to soar: Conrad unveils plans for economic prosperity

Meghalaya has initiated interventions to promote collaboration and partnership with Japan

Meghalaya is ramping up efforts to enhance its collaboration with Japan, focusing on economic and educational advancements, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Friday. Speaking at the 5th India-Japan Conclave in Guwahati, Sangma stressed the state’s commitment to strengthening ties with Japan, in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bolster bilateral relations for mutual prosperity.

Addressing the 5th India-Japan Conclave in Guwahati, Sangma emphasized the importance of a strong partnership with Japan, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to ensure mutual economic prosperity. “We firmly believe in a strong partnership, trust, and relationship with Japan,” he said.

Meghalaya CM Strengthens India-Japan Ties, Announces Training of 3000 Nurses for Jobs in Japan

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said Meghalaya does not want just to be a participant but a leader in the evolving India-Japan partnership, paving the way for economic growth and international collaboration

U Myntri Rangbah ka jylla Meghalaya Conrad K. Sangma ha ka sngi Thohdieng u la ong ba ka jylla ka la shim ia ki sienjam bapher bapher ban kyntiew ia ka jingiatreilang bad ka Japan, da kaba pyndonkam ia ka jingiadei kaba khlain hapdeng ka Ri India bad ka Japan.

The discussion brought together a diverse group of participants, including scholars, senior media professionals, institutional leaders, and senior government officials from Meghalaya. The conversation emphasized the potential of enhanced cooperation between India and the European Union to unlock economic opportunities in the region.

Asian Confluence hosted a high-level roundtable discussion titled ‘Strengthening Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region’, which featured prominent speakers, including British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, and Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Meghalaya, Sampath Kumar.

A visiting Thai delegation led by Sasirit Tangulrat, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand comprises of officials and members from the academia

Meghalaya based Think Tank organised a roundtable on Indo-Pacific

Days after Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki said that his country is taking forward the concept of creating an industrial value chain in India’s northeastern region, the two countries held the annual Act East Forum meeting here Monday. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Suzuki.

On Monday, 12 February 2024, the fourth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave titled “North East India, Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal region in the Indo-Pacific: The Way Forward,” was organized by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Minister of External Affairs, India (MEA), Embassy of Japan in India, and North Eastern Council, Government of India (NEC).

The fourth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave titled “North East India, Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal region in the Indo-Pacific: The Way Forward,” was organized by think tank Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Minister of External Affairs, India (MEA), Embassy of Japan in India, and North Eastern Council in the picturesque city of Shillong on Monday.

The fourth India-Japan intellectual conclave, ‘Kizuna’ was organised by Asian Confluence here today in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of Japan in India and the North Eastern Council (NEC).

Shri K. Moses Chalai, Secretary North Eastern Council, argued that to go east one must go through south. Emphasizing the aspect of developing the urban infrastructure in Northeast India.

India japan KIZUNA

Focusing on connectivity between India and Bangladesh, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mustafizur Rehman said that connectivity projects must be mutually beneficial.

Focusing on connectivity between India and Bangladesh, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mustafizur Rehman said that connectivity projects must be mutually beneficial.

The Asian Confluence has conducted a study and held a stakeholder consultation on the upcoming Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom in the South District of Tripura, assessing its potential impact on trade, connectivity, and overall development

During his National Day speech, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk announced that a special administrative region will be developed in Gelephu bordering India’s northeastern state of Assam. Why will this project be a game-changer for the region? ETV Bharat’s Aroonim Bhuyan writes.

On November 22 last, Asian Confluence the think-tank hub saw some path-breaking women from rural Meghalaya assembling to speak of their achievements and challenges. In attendance was Ms Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh who also wears many hats today. Currently she is on the Ford Foundation endowed Chair, Bangladesh Studies Programme, Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. It was Veena Sikri who proposed that following the trajectory of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) alliance a joint effort be made to start a tourism circuit around the above countries, which would involve women as primary stakeholders. Sikri works closely with Bangladesh and came in contact with the Khasi people there, who she said, felt alienated from their ancestors in Meghalaya and yearned to connect with them if only to keep their culture and tradition alive. It was this that triggered a thought in the former diplomat to connect the Khasis of Bangladesh and Meghalaya using the tourism circuit.

Bhutanese delegation visits Meghalaya, discusses various issues

A 12-member Bhutanese delegation from the Centre for Bhutan Studies visited Meghalaya to learn more about the governance and discussed on diverse issues covering sustainable urban development, climate change, natural resource management, women’s roles in rural tourism and economic connectivity between Bhutan and northeast India, officials said on Sunday.

The delegation during its four-day visit to Meghalaya paid field visits, engaged in-depth roundtable discussions on diverse issues and interacted with Pymiad Sing Syiem, Chief Executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, one of the three tribal autonomous body in the mountainous state.

A delegation of 11 Bhutanese students from the Centre for Bhutan Studies took part in the plenary session following the Inaugural Session

Maitri Setu: Significant boost to regional connectivity and security The opening of the Maitri Setu connecting Sabroom in Tripura and Chittagong port in September will give India’s northeastern region and landlocked countries like Bhutan and Nepal access to the Bay of Bengal. This will significantly boost connectivity, development and security in the region.

This was theme of Asian Confluence, (premier Think Tank based in Shillong) organised colloquium in New Delhi in partnership with the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, titled "Towards a Connected and Prosperous Bay of Region: Perspective on the Northeast India and Bangladesh Connectivity" on Friday.

Japan has proposed developing an industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to the landlocked northeastern states of India, and to Nepal and Bhutan beyond by developing a port and transport in the region, officials said on Tuesday.

India's Ministry of External Affairs, the EU Delegation to India, and the Asian Confluence jointly organized the India–EU Connectivity Conference in Meghalaya recently.

Explore Investment in the Northeastern States

The Ministry of External Affairs, the EU Delegation to India, and the Asian Confluence jointly organized the India – EU Connectivity Conference in Meghalaya on 01 – 02 June 2023. The objective of the conference was to explore connectivity investments and identify concrete projects in India’s North Eastern States and with India’s neighbours (Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh), for implementation under the India – EU Connectivity Partnership, which was launched during the India – EU leaders Meet in May 2021

Under the EU's global Gateway initiative, India and the EU are mulling ways to boost smart, green and secure connectivity investments in the North Eastern States of India. However, concerning that, the EU-India Global Gateway conference was inaugurated in Shillong on Wednesday.

Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan, the Union Ministry of External Affairs, and the Asian Confluence, the two-day conference brings together public and private stakeholders to enhance connectivity policy dialogue and investments between the EU, India’s eastern and Northeastern states and its immediate neighbours (Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal).

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the conference would “explore possibilities of boosting connectivity investments in India’s North-Eastern States and with India’s neighbors.” The three pillars of the connectivity initiative — improving digital, energy, and transportation links — seek to identify initiatives for joint implementation.

India and the European Union (EU) are holding the Global Gateway Conference in Meghalaya on Thursday. The two-day meet seeks to boost connectivity in India’s North-East region as well as integrate it with neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal for improved trade and economic uplift of the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs, the EU Delegation to India, and the Asian Confluence have come together to organize the India-EU Connectivity Conference

With an objective to boost smart, green and secure connectivity investments in North Eastern States of India, European Union (EU)-India Global Gateway conference was inaugurated in Shillong, Meghalaya on 1st June. Organized by the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Asian Confluence, the two-day conference brings together public and private stakeholders to enhance connectivity policy dialogue and investments between the EU, India’s Eastern and North-Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim) and its immediate neighbours (Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal)

GlobalGateway Conference starts in Shillong, Meghalaya tomorrow! It aims to explore opportunities to boost connectivity investments, in digital, energy, transport, health & education sectors, in India Northeastern States & the Immediate Sub-Himalayan Neighbourhood. May be an image of text that says "Global Gateway EU India Global Gateway Conference Connectivity investments in India's North-Eastern States and the Immediate Sub Himalayan Neighbourhood 1-2 June 2023 Hotel Taj Vivanta, Shillong, Meghalaya COD G Partnerships -Facility"

EU looks for a role in connecting North-East with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh

India and the European Union will hold a brainstorming session in Shillong on Thursday and Friday to promote connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region, an initiative that would benefit the landlocked states in the northeast as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.

To enhance connectivity in Northeastern Indian States, the Ministry of External Affairs, Asian Confluence, and the European Union delegation to India are jointly organising the India-EU Connectivity

Launched in December 2021, the Global Gateway Strategy builds on global priorities identified by the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific strategy, as well as the connectivity partnerships with Japan (2020) and India (2021) are also important building blocks in the region. The Global Gateway aims at boosting smart, green and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Global Gateway aims at increasing the size, scale and impact of Team Europe investments. It seeks to optimize coherence, while developing synergies and complementarity among EU actors. EU institutions, EU Member States, their implementing agencies and development financial institutions, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) seek to work together more closely, along with the private sector, cities, regions and civil society stakeholders (think tanks, academia, NGOs).

In a bid to enhance connectivity in the North Eastern States of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, EU Delegation to India and the Asian Confluence are jointly organizing the India-EU Connectivity Conference in Meghalaya on June 1 and 2.

India and the EU are holding a crucial dialogue on connectivity and building infrastructure in the Indian subcontinent under the Global Gateway (GG) Conference. Based on the three pillars: Digital, Energy and Transport, the talks will unfold new possibilities in the region. Will the GG be able to forge an economic partnership while the key issues of financing and investment remain to be resolved?

Bangladesh, Japan and India held a conclave in Agartala (Tripura, India) on 11-12 April to put in place connectivity initiatives to harness the commercial potential of the region. Asian Confluence, a think-tank in Shillong (in northeastern India), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, government of India, organised the event, attended by Deputy Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh and India along with the Chief Minister of Tripura, the Japanese envoy to India, and others.

The study was jointly conducted by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and Shillong-based Indian think tank Asian Confluence

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday underscored the potential of a trilateral partnership among Bangladesh, India and Japan – leveraging Bangladesh's strategic location. He said this partnership would focus on investment, market development and enhanced connectivity, with India's growing economy and Japan's capital surplus playing crucial roles.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday underscored the potential of a trilateral partnership among Bangladesh, India and Japan -- leveraging Bangladesh's strategic location. He said this partnership would focus on investment, market development, and enhanced connectivity, with India's growing economy and Japan's capital surplus playing crucial roles.

A policy colloquium titled ‘From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in the Bangladesh, Japan, India Trilateral Partnership’ was held on Wednesday at the Syndicate Hall of North South University. The event was organised by the university’s Center for Peace Studies of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance, said a press release on Wednesday

Dhaka, 17 May 2023: A high-profile policy colloquium titled ‘From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in the Bangladesh, Japan, India Trilateral Partnership’ was held today in the morning at the Syndicate Hall of North South University (NSU). The event was organized by the university's Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG).

A discussion meeting was held at the capital’s North South University on new possibilities in the tripartite partnership between Bangladesh, Japan and India. The meeting titled ‘Himalaya to Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in Tripartite Partnership of Bangladesh, Japan, India’ was held at Syndicate Hall of the University on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG)

A high-profile policy colloquium titled “From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in the Bangladesh, Japan, India Trilateral Partnership” was held at the Syndicate Hall of North South University yesterday, said a press release

North South University’s (NSU) Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) held a high-profile policy colloquium titled ‘From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in the Bangladesh, Japan, India Trilateral Partnership’ at NSU Syndicate Hall on Wednesday, a press release said.

A high-profile policy colloquium titled ‘From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: New Possibilities in Trilateral Partnership’ was held at the Syndicate Hall of North South University (NSU) on Wednesday.

UNB: Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday underscored the potential of a trilateral partnership among Bangladesh, India and Japan — leveraging Bangladesh’s strategic location.

The concept of 'land-link' has already become operational. Credit is due to Bangladesh and its young foreign minister of state, Shahriar Alam, who has given a new dimension to ties between Northeast India and Bangladesh by showing the immense potential that can be exploited between the two countries by turning limitations into possibilities.

On 11-12 April, Bangladesh, Japan, and India will gather in Tripura to discuss connectivity projects that will help the region realise its commercial potential

"It can be a win-win plan for India and Bangladesh," Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan's ambassador to India, said on Tuesday, citing the industrial hub proposal at a meeting of Indian, Bangladeshi and Japanese officials in Agartala, the Tripura state capital.

The Narendra Modi government has taken concrete steps to implement the Act East policy for mutual benefits while emphasizing ties between India's Northeast and Bangladesh, reports Business Standard quoting G Kishan Reddy, Indian minister for the Development of North Eastern Region.

Japan has proposed developing an industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to the landlocked northeastern states of India, and to Nepal and Bhutan beyond by developing a port and transport in the region, officials said on Tuesday.

While India’s Northeast is key to Japan’s Indo-Pacific plan, Bangladesh is key to India’s Northeast. So, the partnership with Bangladesh is inevitable to the Indo-Japan partnership.

Transit and transhipment of cargo between Northeastern India and Bangladesh using Chittagong port will start soon, the neighbouring country's Minister of State for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said here on Wednesday. Tripura is set to become the 'Gateway of North East' with access to Chittagong port of Bangladesh, which is just 70 kilometres from Sabroom in the northeastern state, he said.

India’s Northeast is developing and getting close to its goal of being part of the Indian mainstream in connectivity and business – which is also critical for the success of India’s Act East Policy. For both goals, Bangladesh and Japan are invaluable partners and friends. The troika’s collaboration can be a model in the region.

SHILLONG, April 18: South Korean Ambassador, Chang Jae-bok and his team are part of the G20 delegation visiting Meghalaya. On Tuesday, Asian Confluence — the Northeast think-tank — hosted the South Korean envoy and his team comprising Dr. Choongjae Cho, Deputy President of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) and Vice President for the Korean Association of Indian Social Science Research (KAISSR) for a round table on the theme: “Northeast India: Republic of Korea -India Special Strategic Partnership and the Way Forward”.

In today's stable environment, India’s North-East oil pipeline and the electricity line have become important aspects of Bangladesh's rapidly growing economy. However, 10-12 years ago, the threat of violence from terrorist or separatist groups made the construction of the oil pipeline problematic because an attack on an oil pipeline would have disastrous consequences. Today, the gas pipeline from North-East India to Bangladesh is a reality, and terrorism and separatism are things of the past.

Agartala, April 10, 2023: The Asian Confluence, a premier think-tank based headquartered in Shillong in Meghalaya will be hosting the ‘Third India Japan Intellectual Conclave’ on the theme of “North East India, Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal in the Indo Pacific: Building Partnerships: The Way Forward” at Agartala on April 11 and 12 next. Addressing a press conference at Agartala Press Club on Monday evening, Asian Confluence’s Executive Director (ED) said that the conclave will be inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha at Hotel Polo Towers here in Agartala city on Tuesday i.e. April 11 at 4.30 PM. The inaugural ceremony will also be attended by Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki, Bangladesh’ minister of state for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, union minister of state for External Affairs and Education RK Ranjan Singh and union minister for DoNER G Kishan Reddy, he added.

Agartala, April 11, 2023: The Government of India wants to develop economic corridors with neighbouring countries along with the North Eastern states of the country, union DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy said at the inaugural function of the 3rd India Japan Intellectual Conclave organized at Hotel Polo Tower on Tuesday evening. In this conclave, the union minister of state for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, State Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister Shahriar Alam and Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki among others were present. The theme of the conclave is “North East India, Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal in the Indo-Pacific Building on Partnership: The Way Forward”, organized with the support of the state government and jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the North Eastern Council. Luminaries from Japan, Bangladesh and India jointly inaugurated the conclave.

Bangladesh, India, and Japan are set to hold a connectivity event in Tripura, India on April 11-12. The event is aimed at exploring connectivity initiatives and leveraging the commercial potential of the region. Who Will Participate: The Asian Confluence, a think tank from Northeast India, will organize the event in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam will represent Bangladesh, while India’s deputy foreign minister and the Japanese ambassador to India will also attend.

In his address at the 3rd India-Japan Intellectual Conclave organised in Agartala, Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki said that development of northeast India is a priority of the Japanese government At a conclave on connectivity and regional partnership between Northeast India, Bay of Bengal region, Bangladesh and Japan, representatives of both Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday said Tripura now faces a huge potential of international connectivity to become a trade and commerce gateway in the region. In his address at the 3rd India-Japan Intellectual Conclave organised in Agartala, Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki said that development of northeast India is a priority of the Japanese government and said good prospects of trade and economy lie in the Bay of Bengal region, including Bangladesh, Northeast India and West Bengal.

Bangladesh envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific, the state minister for foreign affairs says He was speaking at the Third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave, held at Agartala jointly organized by Assam-based influential think tank Asian Confluence, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Bangladesh Mission in Agartala and the Embassy of Japan in India.

Agartala, Apr 11: Experts and stakeholders are looking beyond the Chattogram and Mongla ports of Bangladesh for growth and utilizing the NER’s value chain potentials. The upcoming Matarbari Deep Sea Port (DSP) in Bangladesh, being constructed with assistance from Japan, is set to be a game changer – as it will immensely benefit the North-eastern States including Tripura as well as Bangladesh. Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki termed this a ‘win, win and win’ situation while speaking at the 3rd India-Japan Intellectual Conclave held in Agartala on Tuesday.

Agartala, Apr 11: Union Minister for DoNER G. Kishan Reddy addressed the third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave organized by the Asia Confluence Think Tank in Agartala on Tuesday. In his address, the Union Minister emphasized that North East is India's window to South East Asia and a fundamental pillar of India's Act East Policy. He also highlighted that India and Japan are civilizational partners since time immemorial and that both the countries need to work together to further enhance the cultural contacts.

Bangladesh, India, and Japan are set to hold a two-day connectivity event in Tripura, India from today (Tuesday). The event is aimed at exploring connectivity initiatives and leveraging the commercial potential of the region. The Asian Confluence, a think tank from Northeast India, is organising the event in collaboration with India's Ministry of External Affairs, Indian media said on Monday.

India-Japan-Bangladesh will organise a mega meet

Asian Confluence, a think tank based out of North East India, in collaboration with India's foreign ministry, is organising the event. It will be attended by deputy foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India along with the chief minister of Tripura and the Japanese envoy to India, reports the Economic Times.

Asian Confluence, a think tank from North East India, is organising the meeting in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, according to India-based news outlets. Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam is expected to join the event to represent Bangladesh. India’s deputy foreign minister and Japanese ambassador to India will also join the programme.

India Bangladesh Japan to hold connectivity meet in Tripura on April 11-12 to put in place connectivity initiatives to harness commercial

India, Japan, and Bangladesh will organise a significant meet on April 11-12 in Tripura to establish connectivity initiatives and leverage the commercial potential of the region. According to officials, increased participation from Japan will facilitate the creation of industrial value chains and comprehensive connectivity development in Northeast India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, Japan, and India will hold a meeting in Tripura on 11-12 April to put in place connectivity initiatives to harness the commercial potential of the region.

The third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave on North East India, Bangladesh, and the Bay of Bengal is set to begin on April 11 at the Indo-Pacific Building in Agartala. The two-day conclave aims to highlight the framework of cooperation between ongoing bilateral cooperation between India and Japan and Bangladesh, and how it can be leveraged to secure a prosperous Bay of Bengal neighborhood. The northeastern states are landlocked, but the region put together enjoys proximity to the Bay of Bengal, which is ecologically connected through a unique "mountain to sea" contiguous landscape. Connectivity and cooperation with the nations of the Bay of Bengal, particularly Bangladesh, hold enormous possibilities for trade, investment, cultural contacts, and efforts towards the holistic conservation of the fragile biodiversity of the region.

Agartala: Emphasizing close ties between India’s Northeast and Bangladesh, DoNER Minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday asserted that the Narendra Modi government has taken concrete steps to implement the Act East policy for mutual benefits. “The Bay of Bengal is very close to the Northeast and there is a need for cooperation from its immediate neighbour, Bangladesh, for development of the region,” he said during the third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave here.

Bangladesh, India and Japan are going to hold an event in Tripura of India on April 11-12 on connectivity initiatives to harness the commercial potential of the region. Asian Confluence, a think tank from North East India, is organising the meeting in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, according to India-based news outlets.

Asian Confluence, a think tank from North East India, is organising the meeting in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, according to India-based news outlets.

Bangladesh should establish warm relationships with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to boost trade and investment with them, which would also benefit the north-eastern region of India, according to an expert.

India's trade with Bangladesh is the most important. However, experts believe that non-trade relations between the two neighboring countries should be given more priority. At the same time, the existing border, Rohingya, visa problems should be prioritized. People-to-people relations between the two countries should be created. In a dialogue organized on the relationship between Bangladesh and India yesterday at North South University

In implementing India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, voices from the Northeast and eastern parts of the country must be heard.

Kolkata, Nov 21 (PTI) Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday said India is working closely with its partners to help sustain democracy, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Kolkata: US Consul General Melinda Pavek on Monday said the US, along with the world, is excited to witness India’s G20 presidency as it takes over from Indonesia officially on Dec 1.

The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and Asian Confluence think tank are organizing two-day, unique Indo-Pacific conclave on the theme of ‘Reimagine and Reconnect: Indo-Pacific synergies through the lens of Culture,’ in Kolkata on November 21 and 22.

The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and Asian Confluence think tank are organizing two-day, unique Indo-Pacific Conclave on the theme of “Reimagine and Reconnect: Indo-Pacific synergies through the lens of Culture,” in Kolkata, India, on November 21-22, 2022. The conclave aims to leverage culture as a tool to trigger policy discussions and people-to-people connectivity, to ultimately help promote a free, open, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. It focuses on three key themes:

Trade and connectivity, ecology, migration and peacebuilding were the focus of an Indo-Pacific Conclave hosted by the US consulate general Kolkata and Asian Confluence think-tank.

The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and Asian Confluence think tank are organising two-day unique Indo-Pacific Conclave on the theme of “Reimagine and Reconnect: Indo-Pacific synergies through the lens of Culture,” in Kolkata, India, on Monday and Tuesday.

The G20 world will open new opportunities for multilateral global engagements with a focus on sustainable growth and inclusive development, Pavek said.Indonesia on November 16 handed over the G20 presidency to India for the coming year at the Bali summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming it a matter of pride for every Indian citizen.

2 Day Conclave on Act East to Indo-Pacific

Imphal, Oct 29 (DIPR) Chief Minister N Biren Singh has categorically stated that the North East India connects the country to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world.

Imphal (DIPR): Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that the North East connects India to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world.

Need to finalise aspects of Act East Policy - Manipur CM

US Consulate Kolkata, Asian Confluence host dialogue on Northeast as a strategic connector for Indo-Pacific

A conclave on the theme “The North Eastern Region of India and the neighbourhood as a strategic connector for the Indo Pacific region” was organized by thinktank Asian Confluence in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata at the Asian Confluence headquarter in Shillong on Thursday.

Shillong: The Asian Confluence in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata organized a conclave in Shillong on Thursday.

Shillong, August 18 (MExN): A conclave organized by thinktank Asian Confluence in collaboration with the US Consulate General Kolkata was held with the theme, ‘The North Eastern Region of India and the neighbourhood as a strategic connector for the Indo Pacific region,’ at the Asian Confluence headquarter in Shillong on August 18.

On May 28 and 29, the Asian Confluence, a think-tank based out of Shillong, organised a river conclave in Guwahati, in collaboration with the ministry of external affairs and Act East Dpartment, government of Assam.

Let me tell you a story from my childhood. I come from Sylhet and it has a big 'Mazar Sharif' known as Hazrat Shahjalal's Darga Sharif. It has big pots to cook food for thousands. These pots are huge. When I was a kid, my mother told me that these pots came from the Mazar Sharif of Nizamuddin Awliya of Delhi

River links with Bangladesh, Nepal key to India's growth: Nirmala Sitharaman

Guwahati: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses Asian Confluence River conclave #Gallery

The government's projects are to enhance the connectivity in northeast India and its neighbouring countries

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday indicated Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal were India’s most trusted global partners along wi

Work on restoration of 6 historical rail links with Bangladesh dormant since 1965 is underway, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said adding the government is also looking at creating a cross-border rail line from India to Bhutan.

Assam Chief Minister External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar and Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma at the inauguration of the 3rd Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) – Asian Confluence River conclave 2022, in Guwahati, Saturday.

Association with Japan, ASEAN underlined at the NADI3 Asian Confluence River Conclave in Guwahati

India is more connected to the North-East region and the North-East is more connected to India’s neighbouring countries

Says ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies will have impact beyond SE Asia

Guwahati/New Delhi: Improving connectivity with India’s eastern neighbours and development of the North East are key priorities of the Modi government, and India has been focusing on enhancing connectivity between the North East and Bangladesh, through restoration of cross-border rail links, road projects and river connectivity, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today.

He said India is collaborating on a series of road projects inside Bangladesh and efforts are on to enhance connectivity between Sikkim and Nepal

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External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Saturday said that India is looking at road connectivity through Myanmar and sea connectivity through Bangladesh and this would see a huge change in the region.

DD India

S Jaishankar said that this vision can be successfully realised by enhancing connectivity with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar to improve access to ASEAN countries and beyond.

The Nadi-3 conclave to articulate the collective vision of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Southeast Asian region was inaugurated in Assam on Friday.

Guwahati, May 25 (PTI) An international river conference to articulate collective vision of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asian region will take place in Assam’s Guwahati from May 28-29, officials said on Wednesday.

Guwahati: Taking forward the messages of the previous NADI (natural allies in development and interdependence) conclave held in Shillong and Dhaka respectively followed by several research and outreach projects and online events during the lockdown, the third version of NADI dialogue (NADI-3) will be held in Guwahati.

An international river conference to articulate collective vision of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asian region will take place in Assam's Guwahati from May 28-29, officials said on Wednesday.

Guwahati, May 25 (PTI) An international river conference to articulate collective vision of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asian region will take place in Assam’s Guwahati from May 28-29, officials said on Wednesday.

Northeast Live

The latest Tweet by PTI News states, 'International river conference -- 'NADI' -- to articulate collective vision of cooperation in Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asian region will take place in Assam's Guwahati from May 28-29: Officials'

Guwahati, May 25 (PTI) An International River Summit will be held in Guwahati, Assam on May 28-29 to express a collective vision of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Southeast Asian region. Officials gave this information on Wednesday. The third edition of the conference, 'NADI' (Natural Partner in Development and Interdependence), was organized by Shillong-based think tank 'Asian Confluence' in association with Ministry of External Affairs, Department of 'Act East Policy' Affairs, Government of Assam, North Eastern Council and others Will go 'Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies' is the 'country partner' of the event and International Union for Conservation of Nature, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati

IBC24

Power dynamics in Asia have been in flux for over a decade. Gradually the older term – ‘Asia-Pacific’ – has been replaced by the 21st century phrase – ‘Indo-Pacific’. States in the region and beyond have been concerned about ensuring its security and economic development. In pursuing this goal, different approaches have been visible; for example, those followed by China and the US, respectively the No.2 and No.1 powers in the world.

The 5th summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ended on March 30, 2022 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Though the progress in regional integration in the BIMSTEC, even after the 25 years of BIMSTEC, has remained slow, the successful implementation of the agreements of the 5th Summit can pave the way for the hugely aspired greater integration in the Bay of Bengal region.

The unique regional grouping linking five countries of South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka) and two countries of Southeast Asia (Thailand and Myanmar) holds its long-awaited fifth summit in Colombo on March 30. On it rides a hefty burden of expectations to advance regional cooperation. Meticulous preparations behind the scenes have created an atmosphere of hope for its success.

At the second India-Japan Dialogue, it was discussed that agriculture and education in skill development can be an area of focus for India-Japan collaboration in the northeastern region.

Japan's Envoy Suzuki Satoshi said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries

Shillong, March 3 Japan's Ambassador in India Suzuki Satoshi on Thursday said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the landlocked northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries leading to the socio-economic growth of the region.

Japan’s Ambassador in India Suzuki Satoshi on Thursday said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the landlocked northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries leading to the socio-economic growth of the region.

Japan’s Ambassador in India Suzuki Satoshi on Thursday said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the landlocked northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries leading to the socio-economic growth of the region.

Shillong: Japan’s Ambassador in India Suzuki Satoshi on Thursday said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the landlocked northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries leading to the socio-economic growth of the region.

UNB News, DHAKA

SHILLONG, Nov 24: Japanese ambassador to India, Satoshi Suzuki and team are in Meghalaya for the Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled to begin on Thursday.

The programme, which kicked off in November 2020, has so far provided Dreambuilder certification to 80 women entrepreneurs

The Conference is an outcome of the India – EU Connectivity partnership which was launched during the India – EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021. The Conference would focus on connectivity through three pillars namely: Digital, Energy and Transport with an aim to identify concrete projects for joint implementation. This was also identified as a key deliverable in the recently concluded Ministerial Meeting of the India – EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

The multifaceted life of academic-turned politician Bidhu Bhushan Dutta who passed away on September 27 last, was celebrated at a public function here on Saturday.

In order to strengthen the people to people and institutional linkages, the Asian Confluence, India, the ASEAN Studies Centre of ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and the ASEAN-India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi launched their first joint programme entitled “ASEAN-India Development Partnership Programme (AIDPP)”, a training and capacity building programme for scholars and practitioners of ASEAN.

“Connecting northeast India and Bay of Bengal countries with a resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific is important for the region’s continued economic development. Through enhanced connectivity and trade, the northeast can become a gateway to neighbouring and ASEAN countries”.

‘Connectivity necessary in realizing goal of prosperous Indo-Pacific’: MEA Secretary

The benefit sharing of the Meghna basin can drive the Indo-Bangla economic and political relations and bring prosperity to the region, say water management experts and stakeholders.

Among the QUAD, India has huge stakes in a friendly Bay of Bengal community, connected through the BIMSTEC framework. Earlier, the development of the northeast is crucial so that it does not become the recipient of cheap goods. "Access to the Bay of Bengal and the rest of India with Bangladesh is also very essential for harnessing the unutilized economic capability in the northeastern states of India," Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, distinguished fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation, earlier said.

In his special address Amb. Shahidul Haque, former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh stressed the need to work for developing a better narrative around shared borders, bringing border killings to zero and suggested innovative projects such as a university located at the border where communities from both countries can be benefitted.

The Asian Confluence hosted a web-dialogue entitled “50 Years of Bangladesh: India Bangladesh Relations: New Avenues and the Way Forward” as run up to Indian Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to Bangladesh and to mark the celebration of 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh relations.

For developing the Northeast India under the India-Japan collaboration, Tokyo is providing financial support to diverse projects in the region. https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/india-japan-collaboration-on-for-prosperous-ne-foreign-secretary-527238

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Japan Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi and many experts and economists, while hailing Japan's financial aid for varied projects in eight northeastern states, said that Indo-Japan collaboration would boost a secure and prosperous northeastern region in convergence of India's 'Act East Policy', 'Neighborhood First Policy', towards a vibrant Bay of Bengal region and realising a common vision of a "Free and open Indo-Pacific".

Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, India hosted a one-day web-dialogue on the theme- Development of North Eastern Indian Region: Indo-Japan Collaboration for Connectivity, Commerce, Capacity Building, Culture and Conservation.

"The Northeast connects us to our neighbours and to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world - the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific," said the Foreign Secretary.

The North East connects India to its neighbours and to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world - the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific noted Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla and called for upgrading infrastructure in North East to realize this vision.

"The North East connects us to our neighbours and to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world - the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. It is therefore logical that we have chosen to work with one of our most valuable partners, Japan, for the development of this area, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said during a webinar organised by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan today.

It gives me great pleasure to address the dialogue on a theme of particular interest, the 'Development of North Eastern Indian Region: Indo-Japan Collaboration for Connectivity, Commerce, Capacity Building, Culture and Conservation'.

For developing a prosperous northeast India under the India-Japan collaboration, Tokyo is providing financial support to diverse the projects in all the eight states of the region, top officials, diplomats, experts and economists said on Friday.

For developing a prosperous northeast India under the India-Japan collaboration, Tokyo is providing financial support to diverse the projects in all the eight states of the region, top officials, diplomats, experts and economists said on Friday.

Japan is involved in a number of connectivity projects in northeast India. They are involved in Four road connectivity projects in part of India, the longest bridge in the country across the Brahmaputra in Dhubri in Assam is being constructed with Japanese support. The country is also helping India modernize the Umiam-Umtru Hydroelectric Power Station in Meghalaya and Guwahati Water Supply.

India-Japan will play a key role in developing NER

Asian Confluence, a think tank institute, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, will host a daylong web-dialogue on ‘Development of North Eastern Indian Region: Indo-Japan Collaboration for Connectivity, Commerce, Capacity Building, Culture and Conservation’ on Friday, a statement issued here informed.

New Delhi and Dhaka will also look at strengthening connectivity between Bangladesh and the northeastern states, says Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

“Any country in India’s neighbourhood except Pakistan won’t go for ‘this or that’ approach in regards to India-China tension. Pakistan will do that due to historical reasons, but other countries in our neighbourhood won’t”, said veteran Indian diplomat Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty in the conference, organised by the Asian Confluence (AC), a regional think-tank, on Tuesday.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami said on Wednesday that macro issues would help boost India-Bangladesh relations and economic growth of the two neighbouring countries.

The initiative brings together 150 women entrepreneurs early-stage business owners from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. The women entrepreneurs will be mentored and supported through this two-year project.

The US Consulate General Kolkata in partnership with the Asian Confluence think tank launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) project, the first-ever in India, on Friday.

Celebrating the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020, the U S Consulate General Kolkata in partnership with Asian Confluence think tank launched the White House-led “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)” project, today through an online event that was live-streamed through U.S. Consulate Kolkata’s Facebook page.

In partnership with Shillong-based think tank "Asian Confluence", US Consulate Kolkata's acting Consul General Monica Shie launched the AWE project on Friday involving 150 women entrepreneurs of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, who will be mentored and supported through this two-year long project.

U. S. Consulate General Kolkata para Asian Confluence think tank logode melikena White House-led “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)” project suru korise. Project toh online event te suru kora thakise aro etu toh U.S. Consulate Kolkata’s Facebook page para livestreamed kora thakise.

In partnership with Shillong-based think tank "Asian Confluence", US Consulate Kolkata's acting Consul General Monica Shie launched the AWE project on Friday involving 150 women entrepreneurs of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, who will be mentored and supported through this two-year long project.

This global programme will help the women to explore not just the fundamentals of business and capital, but build a better future for families, communities, and their states

Between the Summits last year and this year, the devastation by Corona pandemic has disproportionately affected the people of ASEAN and India. There are several common challenges among the ASEAN countries and India, and the most critical challenge is job loss.

The ‘Quad’ is the colloquial term for the informal grouping of four countries – the United States, Japan, India and Australia – which first met in 2007. However, due to an objection from China, some of the countries withdrew from this format and it went into dormancy.

Sri Lanka will follow non-alignment and will be a neutral country, maintaining friendly relations with all other countries and does not want to be caught up in the power game. Sri Lanka will not allow its land or maritime territory to be used to threaten the security of any other country and it cannot be a strategic security concern for India.

"In the present situation, at the present stage, perhaps the best way to deepen the India-Sri Lanka ties is to implement quickly the deep port project of East Container Terminal,” Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka said at a webinar organised by the think tanks Asean-India Centre at RIS, the Indian Council of World Affairs, the Asian Confluence, and Pathfinder Foundation.

Sri Lanka will follow non-alignment and will be a neutral country, maintaining friendly relations with all other countries and does not want to be caught up in the power game. Sri Lanka will not allow its land or maritime territory to be used to threaten the security of any other country and it cannot be a strategic

Governance of transboundary rivers in South Asia is both complex and challenging due to a peculiar mix of imperatives relating to geography, demographics, and geopolitics. Hosting a quarter of the world’s population, the region, however, has no choice but to improve its record of riparian governance if it is to contribute more to the world’s well-being and its own.

The visit, which is bound to attract extensive diplomatic attention, was preceded by Foreign Office consultations, held on Thursday on a virtual platform. It will be followed by a ministerial meeting of the Joint Trade Committee on 20 October.

UCN and Asian Confluence jointly organised the webinar titled “Bringing People and Institutions Together for a Living Meghna River,”

IUCN and Asian Confluence co-hosted a webinar on “Bringing People and Institutions Together for a Living Meghna River,” the final instalment of the Meghna Conversations series.

The webinar panel shared their views on implementing governance instruments to build trust and cooperation between India and Bangladesh to benefit all stakeholders in the Meghna Basin.

The webinar presented a comparative review of natural resource management policies in Bangladesh and India, in the Barak-Meghna Basin. The study was facilitated by IUCN and Indian Environment Law Organization (IELO), Delhi.

Experts at a webinar have shared their views on implementing governance instruments to build trust and cooperation between India and Bangladesh to benefit all stakeholders in the Meghna Basin.

The webinar presented a comparative review of natural resource management policies in Bangladesh and India, in the Barak-Meghna Basin, facilitated by IUCN and Indian Environment Law Organization (IELO), Delhi.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Asian Confluence co- hosted the webinar on “Bringing People and Institutions Together for a Living Meghna River,” the final instalment of the Meghna Conversations series.

The discussion was held on role of Bangladesh in Bay of Bengal in post-COVID world. It was the first of a four-part webinar series on the Bay of Bengal.

IUCN and Asian Confluence co-hosted the webinar on “Food Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Meghna - Building Community Resilience,” the second of three webinars in the Meghna Conversations series.

IUCN and Asian Confluence co-hosted the webinar on “Food Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Meghna - Building Community Resilience,” the second of three webinars in the Meghna Conversations series.

Foreign Secretary discussed the impact of GOI policies in North East and importance of the region in building a Self-Reliant India

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla highlighted that the government is working to improve the infrastructure and connectivity in the north eastern states

The ongoing connectivity projects between India and Myanmar and border haats can be gamechanger for sub-regional linkages as part of Indo-Pacific construct.

The conversation was held on the broader theme of 'India's North East: Development, Challenges and Strategies in the Post-COVID-19 Era' between Dr Rajiv Kumar and MP Bezbaruah, Chairman of the Governing Council of 'Asian Confluence' and former Member of the North Eastern Council (NEC).

India’s North East: Development Challenges and Strategies in the post COVID-19 Era

In his address Dr. Kumar said that the bill, which would facilitate the formation of the North East Water Management Authority (NEWMA), is ready in consultation with the Chief Ministers of the eight northeastern states, experts and all stakeholders.

In the seminar on "India’s North East: Development Challenges and Strategies in the post COVID-19 Era", Dr. Rajiv Kumar discussed the way forward for NER and the efforts taken by GOI on NER

The conversation was held on the broader theme of 'India's North East: Development, Challenges and Strategies in the Post-COVID-19 Era' between Dr Rajiv Kumar and MP Bezbaruah, Chairman of the Governing Council of 'Asian Confluence' and former Member of the North Eastern Council (NEC).

'Water diplomacy is not only water-centric; it entails how actors define meaning of water'

The link between Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia's Ache Province...

State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said that rivers are part of the India-Bangladesh “common heritage which we must cherish for our own nourishment.”

This will greatly benefit India’s north eastern states by cutting transportation time and cost through land routes to the north east.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das has said the agreement on the use of Mongla and Chittagong ports and recent second addendum in the India-Bangladesh protocol route will rejuvenate livelihood and economy of the region.

'India-B'desh inland waterways link will boost economy, livelihoods"

Inland Waterways Development can not only become a vital...

Inland waterways development between Bangladesh and India can become a vital and cost effective way of multimodal connectivity that can improve economic wellbeing of people from both countries, policymakers and experts have said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday said rivers are part of their common heritage which they must cherish for own nourishment.

“Rivers are part of our common heritage which we must cherish for our own nourishment”. “The Asian Confluence operates in the ‘third space’. The role of the ‘third space’ to complement efforts of the ‘first space’ led by government and the ‘second space’ led by industry, has become the need of the hour.

India has come a long way since 1962. Experts greeted the announcement of India-China de-escalation with a gamut of emotions, ranging from cautious optimism to sheer scepticism. Trying to put the agreement in perspective, Dr Prabir De, Professor at the New Delhi-based Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries, said: “The Chinese surrender at the crucial meeting between the NSA and the Chinese Foreign Minister is rooted in its new found insecurity stemming from India’s decision to reduce dependence on Chinese imports. India has a growing trade deficit touching 40 billion USD with China. The bilateral trade between India and China is around 80 billion USD but the informal trade between the two countries is huge. India’s imports from China currently stand at 60 billion USD. Our Prime Minister, therefore, embarked on a strategy to hit China where it would hurt the most. Banning of the 59 Chinese apps, putting strict conditions on Chinese Foreign Direct Investment and raising the duties on Chinese imports, made them fall in line.”

The COVID-19 catastrophe has triggered a change in many areas and geopolitics is no exception. Whether the changes are new or just an accentuation of previous trends may be debatable, but there is little doubt that the old ways of thinking and old policies need to change, and adapt themselves to new power realities and dynamics. This applies in particular to the Indo-Pacific, which is currently the most active region in the global political landscape. China’s assertiveness has given way to plain aggressiveness, in speech and action, as witnessed on a whole spectrum of issues: Beijing’s resistance to international calls for investigation into the origin and outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s culpability in it; aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea; Hong Kong; Taiwan; trade and technology disputes with the U.S.; serious tensions with Australia; and the still unresolved India-China border standoff, which has resulted in a violent conflict. These issues have been handled with a mix of defensiveness and indecisiveness by the U.S. and other powers. The overall perception thus created is that, while China is losing international goodwill and eroding its public image, it has been gaining in strength, while its adversaries remain in disarray. The implication of China’s victory at the WHO, where the diplomatic campaign for enquiry into the origin of the pandemic fizzled out, in favour of a general evaluation of the global response, has not been lost on the Indo-Pacific region. Nations from India to the Philippines, and from Australia to Kenya and South Africa are all interested in the U.S.’s position now regarding the Indo-Pacific. They notice that the U.S. has recorded the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and fatalities in the world; it is caught up with pressing internal preoccupations; and its Indo-Pacific strategy is losing its edge. Washington’s latest move – the proposal to transform G7 into G10 or G11, is also indicative of the U.S.’s intention to garner assistance from other countries in the region. All the countries suggested for inclusion – Russia, India, Australia and South Korea – are from the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia deserves to be added to this list. As a new geopolitical construct, the Indo-Pacific has inspired endless debate and reflection in recent years. The region’s evolution in the COVID-19 era, however, demands that attention be paid to what nations should do to secure their interests and to promote the region’s stability, security and prosperity. So far, the term ‘inclusivity’ has been used as a mantra by most countries, to convey that China should be included in all deliberations and arrangements related to the region. But the difficulty is that China is unwilling to follow international law and norms of diplomacy and is actively engaging in an aggressive manner instead. Recognising this, some scholars have gone to the extent of suggesting the formation of an anti-China ‘Indo-Pacific Treaty Organisation’, à la NATO.[1] Military alliances are perhaps not needed. There are other, more calibrated ways of ensuring geopolitical balance in the region. These measures should be based on the assumption that in the foreseeable future, the region will face a form of cold war or a sharpened strategic contestation, involving China on one hand and several other nations, on the other. This is where the quadrilateral partnership or Quad, composed of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia, becomes essential. The view of strategic analysts that China’s unacceptable behavior will ensure that the Quad becomes an effective coalition is now proving true.[2] In recent months, the four-way partnership has become more active, and resilient, but further steps can be taken. Some specific measures are:- a) The Quad needs to refine its approach towards ASEAN. None of ASEAN’s ten members are inclined to join the group but several may be open to forging ‘side relationships’. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines may be interested in deepening their strategic cooperation, individually or collectively, with India, Japan and Australia. Plurilateral dialogues involving these six countries should begin now, or should be built up further where they already exist – such as the trilaterals comprising India, Australia and Indonesia, and India, Japan, and Indonesia. Senior officials from Vietnam, South Korea and New Zealand became the Quad’s weekly interlocutors through videoconference on COVID-19 related issues under the umbrella of ‘Indo-Pacific Dialogue’ during March-May 2020. The ambit of these discussions should be expanded. b) To enhance its diplomatic and strategic gravitas, the Quad should work seriously on strengthening its pillar of economic and technological cooperation. Action and actual delivery rather than merely high-sounding announcements, would be the way to go. c) The 24th edition of Malabar Naval exercises, due in July-August 2020, should have four participating Navies, not three. The desirable inclusion of Australia is an essential take-away from the successful Modi-Morrison virtual summit. d) The Quad can no longer ignore the interest of several European powers – France, U.K. Germany and the E.U. itself – to contribute towards balancing power in the Indo-Pacific. They have assets such as political strength, diplomatic acumen, existing naval and maritime connections, and a reservoir of know-how, technology and capital, which can be leveraged. e) Internally, the Quad should consider a few reforms in its functioning. Mid-level officials made a significant contribution through five meetings between November 2017 and November 2019, but the level of engagement needs to be elevated to at least one meeting at the foreign secretary and foreign minister[3] levels every year. The ministers should consider eschewing diplomatic coyness and start issuing joint statements post meetings. The tensions building in the Indo-Pacific, due to the COVID-19 crisis and other underlying issues, send a clear message – neither appeasement nor bravado but fortitude and resilience are necessary. As the Indian government prepares to handle the current adversity on the northern border, it could consider postponing the impending Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting and instead convene a special Quad meeting to brief partner countries on recent developments. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House, is a former ambassador to Myanmar, with extensive diplomatic experience in the region. He comments regularly on developments in the Indo-Pacific. This article was exclusively written for Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. You can read more exclusive content here. For interview requests with the author, or for permission to republish, please contact outreach@gatewayhouse.in © Copyright 2020 Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying or reproduction is strictly prohibited. References [1] Mansheetal Singh and Megha Gupta, ‘Covid-19: China’s Adventurism with Taiwan and the South China Sea’, 9Dashline, 28 May 2020. https://www.9dashline.com/article/covid-19-chinas-adventurism-with-taiwan-and-the-south-china-sea. [2] Rajiv Bhatia, ‘A case for the Quad’s reappearance’, Gateway House, 2 January 2018. The author wrote: “Its trajectory will be shaped largely by China’s future actions.’ https://www.gatewayhouse.in/quads-reappearance/ [3] The Quad’s first foreign ministerial meeting took place in September 2019. Further, the four foreign ministers held a videoconference with the foreign ministers of Brazil, Israel and South Korea in May 2020. The rationale for the inclusion of two countries – Brazil and Israel – was left ambiguous, but the theme was Covid-related issues.

As India and China lock horns in the high Himalayas...

India can't deter China from using Himalayan skirmishes unless it goes on the offensive elsewhere. New Delhi's message must be: 'Do not poke us here and we won't poke you there'.

Informal sector predominates travel and tourism industry. Globally, as in India, about 80 per cent of the industry is composed of small and medium enterprises.

Speakers at a webinar discussion here underscored the need for bilateral cooperation in agriculture between India and Bangladesh to overcome the existing problems caused by COVID-19.

Experts and economists on Monday stressed the need for bilateral cooperation in agriculture between Bangladesh and India to cope with the ongoing crisis in the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Collaboration with Indian states can benefit farmers of both countries, increase regional trade and boost export earnings, said the experts

Globally, including in India, almost 80% of the travel and tourism industry is composed of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In most countries, ‘payroll support’ and ‘liquidity and credit guarantee’ are priority considerations in this sector. India should be no exception.

India has shown diplomatic resilience and leadership by forging unity in the neighbourhood in the war against COVID-19

AIIB approves $404mn loan to improve Bangladesh cross-border connectivity

South Asia’s speedy economic development depends on the level of integration between countries in the region. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have lost their momentum. But both platforms have their uses and can be revived creatively

Indian tourists will be required to arrange their travel through a Bhutanese ground handler who will process e-permits, arrange certified guides and local transportation. A detailed itinerary will need to be agreed to by both sides – Indian tourist group as well as the Bhutanese authorities.

During the programme, Gadkari also spoke on various aspects of his life, his childhood, family, politics, his vision for the country. And shared is ideas on his social, innovative projects.

Even before these fires started, the Amazon was already in the process of being murdered. Now the Amazon rainforest is burning away at record rates, in thousands of forest fires spread over an area bigger than India.

This year’s drought is just a preview of more dire problems to come if government don’t change course.

India and Japan have emerged close strategic partners, particularly in the current decade. They are cooperating for the economic development of India’s landlocked North East Region through connectivity building and infrastructure projects.

World’s wettest place, Meghalaya aims to create a cadre of professionals by mobilising communities across its 6400 villages to conserve water to implement its newly launched water policy as climate change brings on uncertainty in rainfall.

IIT Guwahati in collaboration with Asian Confluence organized a Consultation cum Dissemination workshop on 'Acting East: Water and linked Livelihoods- Learning from the Mekong Region'.

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in collaboration with Asian Confluence hosted a half-day consultation cum dissemination workshop on “Acting East: Water and linked Livelihoods – Learning from the Mekong Region” today (6th August 2019) on its campus. In follow-up to the project titled “Mekong-Brahmaputra Conversation”, implemented in 2018 by the Asian Confluence, with support from Heinrich Boll Stiftung India, the workshop aimed to disseminate the learning and best practice cases documented from the Mekong basin in South East Asia in four North Eastern states of India, namely Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Speakers at a workshop on Wednesday called for removing non-tariff barriers (NTBs), improving customs facilities in the both ends of land ports and ensuring better connectivity to increase trade between Bangladesh and Northeast India.

A dissemination cum consultation workshop titled ‘Opportunities in Water, Tourism, Energy and Linked Livelihoods in Arunachal Pradesh: Learning from the Mekong Region’ organized by the Asian Confluence

A consultation workshop held at the State Food Craft Institute here on Thursday ended with a call for tangible collaborations between the government, the civil society and the private sector to help boost sustainable tourism and popularize Arunachal Pradesh as a hotspot for water-, adventure- and biodiversity-linked tourism.

Meghalaya is yet to have a policy on agriculture.

Gautam Mukhopadhyay, former Ambassador of India to Myanmar stressed the need for an airline based in the North East to improve connectivity

The outcome of the discussion on the best practices held at Mekong Basin and the take away learning by the state of Tripura.The half day dissemination and discussion program was held at Agartala Press Club and the presentation given by Research Scholars of Asian Confluence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in the first trilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and United States President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, PTI reported.

The study released by the government on Wednesday was by CWC in collaboration with ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad

26 June 2019 Current Affairs: The Centre plans to add 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to its electricity grid by 2030. The plan aims to clean up air in its cities and lessen the rapidly growing economy’s dependence on coal.

Daudhan: After years of foot-dragging India will begin work in around a month on an $87 billion scheme to connect some of the country’s biggest rivers, government sources say, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi bets on the ambitious project to end deadly floods and droughts. The mammoth plan entails linking nearly 60 rivers, including the mighty Ganga, which the government hopes will cut farmers’ dependence on fickle monsoon rains by bringing millions of hectares of cultivatable land under irrigation. In recent weeks, some parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal have been hit by the worst monsoon floods in years, following two years of poor rainfall.

A Dissemination cum Consultation workshop titled “Opportunities in Water, Tourism and Linked Livelihoods in Tripura: Learning from the Mekong Region” was held at Agartala Press Club, by the Asian Confluence, a Shillong based think-tank working on issues of water, connectivity, trade, tourism and culture. Government officials, experts, civil society, academicians, young scholars, activists and media from across Tripura participated in the workshop. Addressing the event, Vishwasree B., Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Tripura stated that aiming to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Tripura tourism and to slowly improve tourism infrastructure to take it up to global standards and we will need the help and support of civil society and experts to do that.

SHILLONG, June 15: Not a single tour operator from Meghalaya has approached the Ministry of Tourism for certificate of accreditation.

China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) may soon dominate the space of 'development projects financing' in Asia surpassing the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the major financier, feel Indian experts observing the changing contours of Asia's finance.

Final touches being given to bus service to Myanmar, Ro-Ro service to Bangladesh

The Government of Japan has decided to invest an amount of 205.784 billion Yen, equivalent to approximately Rs.13,000 crore, in several ongoing as well as new projects in different states of India’s Northeast. This was disclosed after a meeting which the DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had with the Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu, in New Delhi on June 12th 2019.

NESAC conducted Research Collaborators’ Meeting; Benefit Sharing Strategy for the Meghna Basin for Bangladesh & India.

North- East India could be a new hope for the means of connectivity across bordering countries like Myanmar.

Pratim Bose's paper on the North East economy

Requirement for global rebalancing

As a country bordering three of the world’s five major oceans, Canada naturally adopts a global outlook in its foreign and economic policies, but it has yet to incorporate recent changes in the trans-Pacific neighbourhood, from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific. It is time for Canada to reset its vision. The Indo-Pacific was conceived by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a 2007 speech, where he described the idea as “a dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity.” The geopolitical concept of deep interlinkage between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean has gained much currency in the past decade, with proponents such as Japan, the United States, Australia and India believing the littoral nations should avoid using force or coercion to resolve their disputes. They also favour regional connectivity projects as long as these are transparent, sustainable — both environmentally and financially — and respectful of national sovereignty. The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are well on their way to adopting the Indo-Pacific vision, under a determined diplomatic initiative launched by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. A recent visit to the region confirmed to me that even Indo-Pacific skeptics such as the Philippines and Cambodia are now inclined to be more responsive. Acceptance by Canada, an Indo-Pacific nation, will thus be in line with the changing times and should also improve the prospects of achieving its twin agendas of having free-trade agreements with both the ASEAN and India.

Philippines, Cambodia and Lao PDR face a range of development challenges at home even as they respond dynamically to shifting priorities in external relations. With U.S.-China competition increasingly shaping this part of the world, will India provide some balance? An insider’s account of how three less noticed ASEAN countries are coping with geopolitical changes

A river is a rite of passage, a flow of narrative few men understand. It connects past and present, upstream and downstream, links creation myths to everyday history. A river is a composite of time in a way Heraclitus did not understand. You cannot step into the same river twice because I am never one at any time. I am composite, a collage. I have no one form because I am so many incarnations. It is crucial to understand the link between time and the river because I am not past, present or future. I am each of them and all of them simultaneously. It was Raimundo Panikkar in his Rhythms of Being who understood time and the river when he says this narrative does not take place in linear time but it is Kairological, I am simultaneously past, present and future. I only make sense in the simultaneity and multiplicity of time.

The Bangladesh government opened a new mission in Guwahati in March 2017 with consular jurisdiction over Meghalaya to enhance connectivity, people-to-people contact and trade between the northeast states of India.

To promote regional cooperation on shared waterways in Eastern South Asia extending up to the Indo-Pacific region, re-imagining river development through multi-faceted regional cooperation and stepped-up connectivity is critically important. As rivers are envisioned as a metaphor for connecting lands, people, cultures and traditions meanwhile spurring growth and trade-related activities, special emphasis must be laid on promoting best practices in order to protect and preserve rivers through conscious and planned endeavours. The scope for bilateral and multilateral exchanges, knowledge sharing and dialogues needs to be explored in this regard. The fourth edition of the Young Scholars’ Forum organised by the Asian Confluence provided the opportunity for this dialogue. The meeting was held last week in Shillong, Meghalaya, India in collaboration with Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi, and Asian Center for Development, Bangladesh and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs. Ambassador Shahidul Islam who also serves as Secretary General, BIMSTEC Secretariat, said that the stakeholders should have unanimity of opinions regarding the interests of the region. “The stakeholders should expedite dialogues and regional cooperation to bring together ideas, collaborations and actions towards creating a more connected and integrated region,” he further said. Ram Muivah, Secretary, North Eastern Council, heartily welcomed the fourth edition of the forum and said that the engagement of young minds is a key ingredient towards solving development challenges in the North East. He highlighted the immense potential that the region has, particularly in terms of cross-border trade, tourism, water resources, and hordes of other sectors and connecting physically, culturally and intellectually will help North East region to be transformed from a land-locked to a water-linked land bridge. Ambassador TCA Raghavan, Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs, shared his views by saying that scholarship is key to harness ideas, energies and faculties from young minds towards the development of a more connected and prosperous region. Shyam KC, Research and Development Director, AIDIA, indicated at the minimal level of South Asian intra-regional economic cooperation despite having abundant resources at its disposal. He stressed on the significance of the connectivity-driven policy focus for enhancing regional cooperation. The forum came up with key ideas and directions for research and action agenda to be taken up by young scholars from across the region to influence the regional discourse on water and rivers. The forum concluded that coalitions and tangible collaborations both within and across borders, based on fresh thinking, ideation and research by young minds is the key to create a change pathway that speaks to the needs of the countries and region. Involved and participatory thinking and action will help bring creative breakthroughs, which in turn will help find solutions to complex and layered problems of the region. A total of 24 institutions and organisations participated at the forum.

ICE WaRM is looking forward to collaborating on future projects with India based organisation, Asian Confluence. Finding synergies in the values and scope of activities of our organisations, ICE WaRM and Asian Confluence signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2019 to partner on capacity development including water and energy policy and governance.

Ambassador Hiramatsu visits Meghalaya: Addresses at “India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2018” and “Dialogue with States”

On 5 October, 20 representatives from civil society, government, and the academic sector, representing seven countries which are part of the Mekong and Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basins, met in Bangkok to identify cross-basin learning and collaboration opportunities. The event was co-organised by the IUCN BRIDGE Programme and the Asian Confluence, India.

Tourism destinations across the globe are facing problems of overcrowding and degradation of resources making it imperative to look for sustainability. Kathleen Pessolano, the Programme director of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a US-based NGO, spoke to a section of the media after a lecture on sustainable tourism. “Destinations nowadays are experiencing overcrowding and degradation of resources. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced, based on its members’ priorities, the top three issues that tourism needs to take into account for the future,” Pessolano said.

The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) and Asia Confluence signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the Shillong Dialogue recently organized by the Asian Confluence. The major thrust of the MoU are to focus on jointly conducting research projects on Public Policy, International Affairs, Trade Diplomacy and others; organizing workshop, seminar and conference in partnership; and fellow exchange program.

The 21-year-old regional organisation, which will hold its fourth summit on August 30-31, was formed because of the opportunities to make headway in economic and social development through cooperation, but it has achieved modest success. It has a relevance independent of SAARC or ASEAN and goals of its own to pursue

Asian confluence and NEOtakus organised a two-day Shangri-La Cosplay festival on the premises of Asian Confluence in the city on January 20 and 21 to promote Indo-Japan relations. Chakbi Lombi was announced as the preliminary winner at the Shangri-La festival and will also get a chance to represent the country, after further screening at a National level, for the World Cosplay Summit in Japan.

A two-day seminar ‘Shillong Dialogue’ India and Sub Himalayan Eastern Neighbours: Shared Borders, Shared Opportunities: Transforming Geo Spaces to Celebrating Ideas, Skills, People’, organised by the Asian Confluence is underway in the city. Speaking at the inaugural session Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma highlighted the need for improved connectivity with the neighbouring countries for transformative growth of the region.

SHILLONG: Most of the northeastern states share borders with the neighbouring countries and there is a huge opportunity for developing trade and economic growth that will be mutually beneficial to the region, India as well as the other countries, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Thursday.

A group of eminent persons from the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, as well as four neighbouring countries recently came together to brainstorm on the development opportunities across the border and find a sustainable way to make them a reality.

North East chief ministers should speak with one voice on important issues of the region, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said at the interaction with Japanese Ambassador, Kenji Hiramatsu at the

Former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar and author of the newly released book “India Myanmar Relations: Changing Contours”, Rajiv Bhatia interacted with a selected audience in a “meet the author” session at the Asian Confluence Center in the city.

Asian Confluence hosted a round table discussion and interaction on “India-Myanmar Third Space Relations”. The event was graced by the Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Ambassador of India to Myanmar, H. E. Amb. Vikram Misri. Amb. Misri discussed in detail about how development in Myanmar affects India, “If there is peace in Myanmar, their bilateral tie also develops” he said. India has a physical connectivity with Myanmar; however what we do not seem to have is an institutional connectivity. The discussion aimed to realize and revive the economic and institutional ties between the two countries in sync with India’s Neighbourhood First policy. There was a brain-storming session took part by individuals from all walks of life, who drew significant comments and suggestions on improving multilateral relations of India with its immediate neighbours, especially Myanmar. Such an interaction stirs healthy economic relations between the countries, which is also an impetus in reviving the long lost traditions that the two shared, prior to Independence. Students from Myanmar, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh who were specially invited, actively took part in the interactive session where Zau Khun Nawng, a student from Myanmar who is studying at St Anthony’s College, Shillong, shared that St Anthony’s College is the only college which offers admissions to students from Myanmar, while NEHU and MLCU are the only two universities in Meghalaya that admit them. Interestingly, Khalter Khampa from Nagaland gave a surprised presentation on prevailing circumstances affecting the connectivity and relationship of the two nations, and requested the diplomat to take consideration on the matters. The event saw a large number of participants ranging from Distinguished fellows, including Retired IAS Officer and Member of North Eastern Council, M. P. Bezbaruah; Former Ambassador, Riewad Warjri; Retired IAS Officer and former Member of North Eastern Council, P. P. Shrivastav; to eminent personalities like ICARE president, Toki Blah; Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, K.S. Kropha; L.S. Gassah; Sajal Nag; Abhijeet Choudhury; Ashoke Datta; and River Wahlang. Other scholars and observers like Amena Passah; Dr. Deigracia Nongkynrih; Dr. Suparna Bahattacharjee; Dr. Tejimala Gurung Nag; K.N. Kumar, Principal Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; Mrs. Beatrice Warjri; Mrs. Dolly Mishri also attended the rare occasion.

The Asian Confluence hosted “The India-Myanmar Third Space Relations”, here on Saturday. Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Vikram Misri, was the chief guest on the occasion. Chief Secretary K.S. Kropha, ICARE president Toki Blah and other distinguished participants like L.S. Gassah, Abhijeet Choudhury, M. P. Bezberuah, P.P. Srivastava, Riewad Warjri, Ashoke Datta and River Wahlang attended the programme.

As policy makers, we have made policies driven by greed, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said while addressing the audience at Asian Confluence on Friday at a discussion on “Green Economy: Promises and Pitfalls.”

It is rare that a jaded water expert feels elated after a river conference: very often the same hackneyed thoughts are re-circulated by the same lot of seminarians one meets again and again. This time, however, the mid-July NADI 2016 festival in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in North-East India, was different and very pleasantly so: it was one that can truly be called a paradigm shifting event. Hosted by the Meghalaya government with support from the Centre, as well as established outfits of NGOs and academia such as Asian Confluence, Aaranyak and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute, it saw a shift in water discourse that was almost euphoric.

nitiated by the Asian Confluence, the Nadi Festival witnessed the participation of 5 countries with common river systems. With the river as a protagonist, the countries discussed policy ideas, and a shared legacy of dialects, cuisines and arts and culture.

Rivers and cultural links can tie India’s northeast to the rest of the country and the region as a whole.

The two day NADI festival-2016 organised by the Asian Confluence, India, East Asia Centre, Shillong, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Government and the Maulana Abul Kamal Azad Institute of Asian Studies assumes significance. It was a two day conference organised between 15 and 16 July 2016. Noted speakers and experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and north eastern states of India sat together to discuss issues of connectivity and people. Rivers was the central theme of discussions, as besides serving as a means of transport, rivers stood as a connective narrative among people for centuries now.

: Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon has stressed on the need to introduce direct flights between Dhaka and Shillong, Dhaka and Guwahati and Dhaka-Kolkata-Agartala, to promote tourism between India’s Northeastern region and Bangladesh. Speaking at the two-day Asian Confluence led Festival – NADI 2016 here on Friday, Menon said both the countries are working to introduce a direct flight between Dhaka and Guwahati and both the governments can also think of connecting Shillong with the Bangladesh capital.

THE two-day Nadi Festival is underway in Shillong. The conference looks at rivers as important linkages between countries that share common international boundaries. It has brought together high level ministers, diplomats and participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar to thrash out possibilities of trade, commerce and cultural linkages through the intricate rivers systems that crisscross the region and could be harnessed for better waterways communication. Asian Confluence, a civil society organization that sees itself as the third space linking governments and other public institutions has been in the forefront of advocacy to bring the South and South East Asian countries whose futures are interlinked, on a common platform to work out a basic framework not just for creating trade outlets but to explore possibilities for people to people interface and cultural exchanges. This time the State Government of Meghalaya and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Foundation for Asian Studies, Kolkata have joined hands to organize the Nadi Conference.

The two-day Asian Confluence River Festival - NADI 2016, the first of its kind in the region, began at the State Convention Centre on Friday. Speakers and observers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanamar and India, besides experts on rivers and rural development have come together to explore the possibilities of enhancing cultural ties and amplifying the creative use of riverine connectivity by catalyzing environment friendly trade and tourism between the North-East region and surrounding neighbours.

In celebration of the “spirit of commonality” and exploring the creative use of riverine between Northeast India and its eastern neighbours, the Asian Confluence River Festival—NADI2016 will be held in Shillong on July 15-16. The two-day festival, which will begin at 10 am, “celebrates the spirit of commonality between the Indian Northeastern states and her Eastern neighbours through the rivers of the region, which had for long been the treasured highways of culture and unison among the people and the fragile ecology they sustain”.

The 81st birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was celebrated at the Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture here on Wednesday. Hundreds of people from the Tibetan community in Shillong among others took part in what was the “first public celebration of the spiritual leader’s birthday in the North East”.

The focus of the 'NADI 2016' is to celebrate the spirit of commonality between the Northeastern states of India and her neighbours through the major and minor rivers surpassing political boundaries.

The state government in collaboration with Asian Confluence will organize the 2016 NADI River Festival in the state’s capital on July 15 – 16, 2016. The two-day festival will be held at Pinewood Convention Center and Sri Aurobindo Institute, Shillong. The festival is a bottom up effort: focusing on celebrating the rivers of the region, with particular focus on those between the North Eastern States of India and her immediate eastern neighbors and the fragile ecology they sustain: for they have been the treasured water highways of culture for centuries gone by. They form very basis of civilization.

A 35 member delegation from Bhutan led by their MP and a senior civil servant attached to the King of Bhutan and comprising professionals from different technical, legal, educational, scientific and environmental specialties arrived at Shillong recently on a learning trip. The delegation visited three states of North East India, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. This group had an interface with civil society members, government officials and people of other professions at the Asian Confluence. There was a healthy exchange of views and several questions posed by both sides were succinctly answered. Some of the participants from the home state were however curious as to what the Bhutanese delegation with a small and manageable population, a carbon neutral environment and a country known for maintaining a healthy Gross National Happiness Index, would want to learn from India and its states which are battling the ravages of environmental degradation and population explosion.

Meghalaya and Bhutan policy makers held an interactive session on Saturday stressing on the need to adopt “Happiness Model of Bhutan”. The Asian Confluence, and the Royal Institute of Governance and Strategic Studies, Bhutan’s most prestigious think-tank, hosted a joint interaction between policy makers from Bhutan and Meghalaya. A 35-member visiting delegation of senior policy makers from Bhutan, led by Chewang Rinzin, Dy Chamberlain to the King of Bhutan and Tashi Wangyal, Member of Parliament from Bhutan, interacted with a select crowd at the Asian Confluence Center, comprising senior policy makers, artists, activists, media and heads of various institutions.

In connection with the upcoming Indo-Bangla River Festival titled NADI 2016, a “photowalk” was conducted beside the Umiam Lake by Asian Confluence on Saturday under the guidance of well known photographer Rohit Suri.

Asian Confluence – A Third Space Initiative in celebrating the spirit of unity and livelihood of people divided by borders and connected by a commonality designed by nature itself, is hosting the Indo-Bangla River Festival entitled NADI 2016. The Competition will be curated by celebrated photographers Rohit Suri and and Abir Abdullah from Bangladesh.

The “Agartala Doctrine,” a compilation of essays on India’s engagement with South East Asia and North East India’s role in the Look East Policy, edited by senior journalist turned foreign policy analyst, Subir Bhaumick was launched by former Ambassador Riewad Warjri at Asian Confluence on Saturday. Discussing journalist author Subir Bhaumik’s ‘Agartala Doctrine: Proactive Northeast in Indian foreign policy, a select panel of diplomats, scholars, politicians and media persons conceded that Tripura’s handling of Bangladesh as a strategy of appropriate political response is worth emulating for India’s neighbourhood policy.

An interaction between theatre artists from Meghalaya and Bangladesh was hosted at the auditorium of the Asian Confluence Center on Friday, as part of the Asian Confluence Third Space events to foster people to people interaction across the borders.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living will visit Shillong for the second time at the invitation of the Asian Confluence on December 14 and 15 at the 5th Ground, Polo.

This year World Peace Day celebration was initiated by veteran artiste Lou Majaw who, through his Foundation, helped organise an art exhibition featuring paintings by local artist Madhumita Ghosh, at Asian Confluence on Monday.

A Japanese scholar has enlightened a group of audience in Shillong about the propaganda war launched by Japanese against the Indian army during Second World War. ‘Dentan’ in Japanese, is a type of ‘propaganda leaflets’ that were scattered by the Japanese Army to discourage the enemy soldiers in the battlefield during the Second World War. Dentan, derived from Chinese, was not known to many here until Tomio Mizokami, Professor Emeritus, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan, gave an informative insight into it through a talk titled ‘Anecdotes From History: Propaganda leaflets scattered by the Japanese Army in British India during World War II and specialties of Hindi used in them’ by Asian Confluence on Thursday evening.

Professor of Industrial Management Engineering at IIT, Kanpur, Dr Rahul Varman and faculty member at Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata; senior fellow, Indian Council for Social Science Research and guest faculty, IIT, Kanpur Dr Manali Chakrabarti graphically depicted the picture of history of the tortuous path of globalisation and the heavy cost it has entailed at the Asian Confluence Centre at Shillong on Friday evening titled “Balancing Development and Globalization” as part of its “Innovation Talk Series”. Dr Varman and Dr Chakrabarti narrated the horrific tale of civilizations that are extinct now and those that are surviving amidst globalization.

Asian Confluence and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) hosted The Young Scholars Forum (YSF), 2017 “India’s North Eastern States and Eastern Neighbours: Borderlands, People and Connectivity” March 11, 2017: Asian Confluence, Shillong in collaboration with the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA) organised the Young Scholars Forum 2017 on March 9th and 10th for new, forward-thinking and positive scholarship engaged in research advocacy on Northeast India and its borders with South and South East Asia, drawing the region’s unique geopolitical significance, economic potential and cultural diversity. The Young Scholars Forum 2017 was a grand accomplishment yet again basing on the previous successes of the Forum previously held in December 2015 as a follow-up to the “Shillong Consensus” that emanated from the “Shillong Dialogue” hosted by the Asian Confluence and Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA) in 2014. The event saw a large number of participants ranging from the scholars, research scholars, the teachers and students of the various colleges from in and around the city who have shown their growing interest in the event over the years reaching a new water-mark in this year’s Forum. There was an absorbing brain-storming session for the past two days, on the 9th and 10th of March, each drawing a significance of its own on how important a working relationship between India, in particular the North Eastern states with our immediate neighbours are and the impacts and after effects that partition has incurred particularly the effects and after-effects on trade relations and economic sustainability of the people living in the borders. The Seminar also saw a host of eminent scholars and critics. The inaugural session was chaired by former Ambassador Riewad Warjri of Meghalaya on the 9th of March. The Seminar, on the second day, altogether consisted of three sessions which were chaired by the shared wisdom and insights of prominent scholars from the likes of Dr Sreeradha Datta, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata, Professor L.S. Gassah, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Professor Sarah Hilaly, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Professor Sajal Nag, Assam University, Silchar and a few more which in its entirety culminated to a wider outlook into border, borderlands, people, natural resources and connectivity.

The picture of history of the tortuous path of globalization and the heavy cost it has entailed were graphically depicted by Dr Rahul Varman, Professor, Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and Dr Manali Chakrabarti, Honorary Adjunct Research Associate, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata; Senior Fellow, Indian Council for Social Science Research and Guest Faculty, IIT, Kanpur at the Asian Confluence Centre at Shillong on Friday evening. Dr Varman and Dr Chakrabarti narrated the horrific tale of civilizations that are extinct now and those that are surviving amidst globalization in a talk titled “Balancing Development and Globalization” as part of the Centre’s “Innovation Talk Series”. According to Wikipedia, Globalization (or globalisation) is the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture.

The Asian Confluence is organizing a daylong roundtable “India’s Look East Policy: Strengthening the Look South Aspect: Exploring win-win synergies through Indo Bangladesh Border Trade and Tourism” on April 21 at its Conference Hall from 10:30am.

The Asian Confluence Centre organized an “Evening of Poetry” in collaboration with Poetry Society of Shillong on Wednesday. Dr Diti Ronen, famed poet from Israel, enthralled the audience with a reading of her poems. The program also featured a large number of local poets who read out their poetry. The director of Asian Confluence, Sabyasachi Dutta hopes that this will be the start of a new beginning for poets of Shillong, which was a common sentiment expressed.

AIIB approves $404mn loan to improve Bangladesh cross-border connectivity

Celebrating the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020, the U S Consulate General Kolkata in partnership with Asian Confluence think tank launched the White House-led “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)” project, today through an online event that was live-streamed through U.S. Consulate Kolkata’s Facebook page.

The North East connects India to its neighbours and to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world - the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific noted Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla and called for upgrading infrastructure in North East to realize this vision.

The programme, which kicked off in November 2020, has so far provided Dreambuilder certification to 80 women entrepreneurs

In implementing India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, voices from the Northeast and eastern parts of the country must be heard

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