Asian Confluence has positioned itself over the years as an important catalytic platform for fostering dialogue, co-operation and confidence-building across South Asia and the Indo-Pacific through its Track 1.5 and Track 2 initiatives. Recognising that formal state-to-state negotiations alone cannot fully address the complexities of regional interdependence, Asian Confluence operates in the “Third Space” where policy, research, and people meet. Our Track 1.5 and Track 2 initiatives create trusted spaces where government representatives, scholars, business leaders, and civil society voices come together to exchange ideas and shape solutions.

While Track 1.5 Dialogues bring serving policymakers into conversation with experts and community leaders in their personal capacity, Track 2 dialogues are entirely non-governmental, led by academics, policy researchers, cultural practitioners, and grassroots leaders who contribute fresh perspectives. They are people-centric approaches to regional challenges, encouraging open and forward-looking discussions that can inform official policy processes.

By hosting these country-specific initiatives, Asian Confluence has built information bridges between communities and policies. They have helped to generate insights for collaborative strategies on connectivity, sustainable development, cultural exchange, and regional peace-building.

Asian Confluence strengthens India-ASEAN ties through key initiatives like the ASEAN-India Development Partnership Program (AIDPP) and the webinar “One Decade of ASEAN-India FTA in Goods: Achievements and Way Forward,” fostering trade, connectivity, and strategic cooperation. The NADI Conclave, with active ASEAN ambassador participation, served as a crucial platform for advancing sustainable riverine development and regional collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, we continue to work with some of the ASEAN member states at a bilateral level.  Read More

Asian Confluence has engaged with Australia through the dialogue “A Prosperous Indo-Pacific: Enhancing Cooperation” and the Scholars-in-Residence Program, which hosted Australian academics in Shillong. Australia has also participated in the NADI Conclave. Collaboration with ICEWaRM has focused on water governance, while publications such as “Prospects for India–Australia Cooperation in a Shifting Indo-Pacific” reflect shared priorities in policy, research, and sustainable development.  Read More

Asian Confluence has worked closely with Bangladesh through various people-centric dialogues and research projects. The Kizuna dialogue has also featured ministerial-level participation, highlighting the importance of India-Bangladesh connectivity for regional prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region. Bangladesh has been central to the NADI River Festival and Conclave and actively contributed to the Indo-Pacific Conclave. The Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to receive ministerial and High Commissioner visits, reflecting a partnership that blends policy dialogue, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation.  Read More

Asian Confluence has built a vibrant partnership with Bhutan through initiatives such as the India-Bhutan Exchange program which was developed in collaboration with its partner, the Centre for Bhutan Studies. Bhutanese delegations have also engaged actively in Asian Confluence initiatives and conferences, such as the NADI Festival and the Indo-Pacific Conclave, promoting collaboration between Bhutan and the North-Eastern states. We remain actively engaged in promoting the visionary ideas of Gross National Happiness and the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.  Read More

Asian Confluence has actively engaged with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Our publications and dialogues have always highlighted the importance of BIMSTEC’s role in the stability and prosperity of the Bay of Bengal region. The newly established Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies will further serve as a hub for research, dialogue, and partnerships, linking policy with ground-level and people-to-people initiatives to strengthen regional integration and a more connected, resilient Bay of Bengal region.  Read More

Asian Confluence has actively promoted stronger EU-India collaboration on connectivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation. We have hosted the EU–India Global Gateway Conference, with the participation of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and the EU Ambassador in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the EU Delegation Embassy in India. In follow-up we hosted the roundtable on EU Investments for North-East India. As part of our NADI initiative, Asian Confluence has highlighted best practices in water governance in “Who Controls the Water?”. The Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to receive various delegations from the EU and member states.  Read More

Asian Confluence has engaged with Germany through programs like “Indo-German Collaborations: Perspectives from North-East India”. The Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to receive Ambassadorial visits. Other highlights include the “Building Entrepreneurship – The German Way” dialogue, a lecture on “Green Economy: Promises and Pitfalls” with Heinrich Böll Foundation, and collaboration with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce on “Building Entrepreneurship and Making the Global Connect” and a book on “Water Federalism” with Hans Seidel Foundation.  Read More

Asian Confluence’s partnership with Indonesia has highlighted both historical ties and contemporary opportunities. The dialogue “India–Indonesia Relations: New Horizons” explored trade, connectivity, and strategic cooperation, while a webinar on the Andaman–Aceh perspective revisited shared cultural and maritime linkages. Indonesia’s participation in platforms such as NADI, the GBM Conference, and the Indo-Pacific Conclave has further enriched conversations on rivers, ecology, and regional security, anchoring its role in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific frameworks.  Read More

Asian Confluence has deepened India–Japan cooperation through five editions of the KIZUNA–India Japan Intellectual Conclave. This has been preceded by several “Third Space” events on India-Japan Collaboration. The Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to welcome ambassadorial visits and Japanese delegations. Asian Confluence also has ongoing collaborations with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) on a study on Rural Development Initiatives, Strengthening India-Japan Strategic network and capacity-building projects. Cultural and academic initiatives such as the Sakura Plantation Program, Anime Festivals, the Indo-Japan Conversation Series, and interactions with IRIS Program graduates have strengthened youth linkages, while publications on connectivity and trade around the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Bangladesh-India Connectivity highlight Japan’s role in advancing regional infrastructure.  Read More

Asian Confluence has engaged with Myanmar since its early days. We have hosted the India Myanmar media exchange and the Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to receive Chief Ministerial visits from Myanmar. Asian Confluence was represented at the Myanmar Peace Forum (June 2025), bringing a civil society voice to peacebuilding. Myanmar delegations have also participated in the NADI Conclave, reflecting its central role in the Bay of Bengal. Asian Confluence continues actively to engage with all stakeholders in Myanmar.  Read More

Asian Confluence has advanced India–Nepal ties through the Kathmandu roundtable on “Riverine Connectivity and India–Nepal Relations”, and key publications, including “New Avenues of India–Nepal Relations: The Way Forward” and a policy note on trilateral electricity trade with Bangladesh and Nepal. Nepal was also a valued participant in the NADI festival and the conclave. These initiatives highlight Nepal’s role in strengthening connectivity, renewable energy, and regional integration.  Read More

Asian Confluence has strengthened Indo–Korean ties through dialogue and research. The roundtable “Building Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Northeast India” in Shillong (April 2023), attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and followed by two key publications: the Study Report Building Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Northeast India and the Research Report The Republic of South Korea and India Relations: Engagements in North East India. These initiatives align India’s Act East Policy with Korea’s New Southern Policy and position Northeast India as a regional gateway.  Read More

Asian Confluence has engaged with Sri Lanka through the Russia–India–Sri Lanka Trilateral Dialogue on Climate Change and the dialogue on Deepening India–Sri Lanka Ties in the New World Order.  Participation in the Bay of Bengal, Indo-Pacific, and NADI forums have highlighted Sri Lanka’s role in promoting maritime cooperation, sustainable development, and regional integration in the Bay of Bengal.  Read More

Asian Confluence has engaged with Thailand by co-hosting three editions of the flagship Brahmaputra–Chao Phraya entrepreneurial exchange program. Thailand delegations have participated in major forums such as the NADI Conclave, Indo-Pacific summits, and BIMSTEC events, promoting trade, tourism, and cultural ties. The Asian Confluence Centre has been proud to receive Ambassadorial visits and Thai business delegations, highlighting shared priorities in connectivity, trade, and regional cooperation.  Read More

Asian Confluence has fostered a dynamic partnership with the United Kingdom through initiatives on youth leadership, climate resilience, cultural exchange, and strategic dialogue. Highlights include the Andaman Islands Roundtable: “Towards a Free, Open and Prosperous Indo-Pacific”, the Shillong Roundtable on the Indo-Pacific, the Young Thinkers’ Conference in Shillong, Young Thinkers Conference “Knowledge is great”, held online and the UK–India Climate Knowledge Exchange. These engagements underscore a growing partnership that connects regional perspectives from India’s Northeast with the UK’s Indo-Pacific vision.  Read More

Asian Confluence has partnered with the U.S. Consulate-General in Kolkata on initiatives such as the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), which trained over 150 women entrepreneurs in Northeast India, and the Indo-Pacific Conclave, themed “Reimagine and Reconnect Indo-Pacific Synergies through the Lens of Culture.” We have also contributed to publications on U.S. strategic engagement in Asia, reinforcing a partnership that spans entrepreneurship, cultural diplomacy, and thought leadership in advancing an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.  Read More

Asian Confluence engages with Vietnam through research, dialogue, and regional platforms. Key initiatives include an MoU with the Vietnam Institute for Indian and Southwest Asian Studies, a webinar on India–Vietnam relations during COVID-19, and publications on defense cooperation, cultural linkages, and “Bamboo Diplomacy” highlighting Northeast India’s role. Vietnam’s participation in the NADI and Indo-Pacific Conclaves has further enriched conversations on rivers, connectivity, and security, underscoring its importance as a cultural and strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific.  Read More