Asian Confluence, the leading think tank based in the Northeast, is establishing the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies in Shillong to promote research, dialogue, and collaboration on the region’s shared future. The centre aims to foster “third space” cooperation amongst stakeholders in the  states and nations of the Bay of Bengal region. With online and physical outreach to policymakers, businesses, universities, research institutions and think tanks, the center aims to enhance visibility, promote informed dialogue and promote trust and collaboration across stakeholders on the manifold issues of the Bay of Bengal that offer both promises and challenges.

The inaugural event of the Asian Confluence Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies will be held on October 30, 2025, at 3:30 PM at the Asian Confluence Centre, Shillong. Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya H.E. HC Vijayashankar will be the Chief Guest for the session and will also be delivering the Inaugural Address.

We are also privileged to have H.E. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) who will be delivering the Keynote Address

The Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies will also be hosting a High-Level Panel Discussion on the theme: “Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: Envisioning a Resilient and Prosperous Future – Opportunities and Challenges.”

Click here to view the Concept Note and Agenda of the Inaugural Event.

Concept Note: 

The Bay of Bengal, bridging South and Southeast Asia, has historically been a corridor of connectivity and prosperity, shaping trade, culture, and livelihoods across the region. Today, it remains central to India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, promising great opportunities for development in the areas of  “Blue economy”,  maritime and coastal connectivity and the security and prosperity of the whole region.  It is also one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable geographies, experiencing frequent cyclones, erratic monsoons, and shifting agricultural patterns and home to one in every four person on the planet making it extremely vulnerable to non-traditional security threats 

India’s Northeast serves as a natural bridge between the Himalayan economies and the Bay’s maritime economy, making it a vital space for fostering integration, connectivity, and ecological stewardship. This unique geo-strategic location enables seamless connectivity and integration in the region fostering economic, ecological and cultural linkages. While the North east is undergoing major developments in the areas of physical , digital and energy connectivity and infrastructure, sectors such as tourism, skilling, entrepreneurship development, agro-ecology and the creative economy are promising and upcoming areas that can create opportunities to create livelihood for youth and enable people to people contact. Stability and prosperity of the Bay of Bengal littoral region has a direct bearing on the prosperity of  the North Eastern India region and vice versa when seen as its hinterland. In this regard India’s North East holds immense strategic importance in the region under the “Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation” (BIMSTEC), serving as a vital bridge between the mountain economies of countries like Nepal and Bhutan and the marine economy of Bay of Bengal.  Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit “ BIMSTEC not only connects South and Southeast Asia, but also the ecologies of the Great Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal”.

The establishment of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies in Shillong marks a significant step toward advancing regional cooperation and connectivity across the Bay of Bengal. By serving as a hub for research, dialogue, and partnership, the Centre aims to strengthen shared understanding and collective action among the region’s stakeholders—bridging the land and maritime domains for a sustainable and prosperous future.