The 6th edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave, "KIZUNA: 6 – Scaling up Partnerships," commenced on Thursday, February 26, 2026. This two-day event was organised by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India), the Embassy of Japan, the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. In his welcome remarks, Executive Director of Asian Confluence Shri Sabyasachi Dutta emphasised the commitment of the Government of Assam in building the necessary infrastructure for the overall development of the state and the region.

Delivering the inaugural address, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr Conrad Sangma, underscored the strength of the India-Japan partnership, particularly in advancing infrastructure, health, culture, agriculture and human resource mobility between the Northeast and Japan. Hon CM highlighted the ambitious projects undertaken by the state government to turn Meghalaya into India’s football hub and also into a music and cultural hub. He emphasises the state’s potential to export high-value agri-products like Bamboo. He also presented the 10 Governance Commitments on connectivity, infrastructure and a variety of allied sectors.

Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Ono Keiichi, highlighted the strategic potential of Northeast India. Emphasising the strong overlaps in the values of India and Japan, it was said that the two countries are natural partners in realising the idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific. He highlighted Japan’s ongoing projects in the Bay of Bengal region, underscoring their strategic and developmental significance. He also mentioned that in a rapidly evolving global landscape, India and Japan are well positioned to emerge as key partners in advancing connectivity, stability and sustainable development across Indo-Pacific.

Shri Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, addressed Meghalaya’s strategic investments in Artificial Intelligence and the dual necessity of technical and soft skills for creating a global workforce. He also noted the great potential of Meghalaya’s young workforce. Shri N.J. Gangte, Secretary OSD, (Establishment, MEA & Acting DDG, ICWA)  highlighted the various areas of collaboration like critical minerals, semiconductor ecosystem and clean energy.

Earlier in the day, a team of select delegates from Japan had a field visit to Tata's Semiconductor Plant site in Jagiroad, Assam. The two-day conclave is being attended by key policymakers, diplomats, scholars, industrialists, and representatives from national and multinational organisations. Representatives from leading Japanese developmental partners such as JBIC, JETRO, and JICA are participating and have been actively working towards building an integrated Bay of Bengal region. Key panel discussions lined up for the two-day conclave focusing on three key areas including the : Semiconductor Ecosystem, Circular Economy & Clean Energy and Skilling & Talent Mobility.