Concept Note

Lying south of the mighty Himalayas and the littoral of the Bay of Bengal, India’s Eastern and North Eastern states, together with immediate neighbours, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar together comprise a geographically compact and ecologically fragile region. It is commonly agreed that greater connectivity within the region, cooperation in ecologically sustainable practices for management of fragile natural resources along with quality infrastructure development, developing larger regional trade and fostering people to people relations within the region are required enablers for inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all the states and nations in the region.

In this region, over the past few years Northeast India with significant intervention and assistance from Japan has developed robust connectivity infrastructures; at the same time India and Japan both independently have invested in various critical connectivity projects in Bangladesh. Keeping the development in the backdrop, there is visible conscious effort by India, Japan and Bangladesh to improve the overall connectivity of the Bay of Bengal region.

“Viewing Bangladesh and other areas to the south as a single economic zone, we will promote the Bay of Bengal-Northeast India industrial value chain concept in cooperation with India and Bangladesh to foster the growth of the entire region,” Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said during his recent visit to Delhi.

The improved connectivity would translate into a greater sense of closeness between the blue water of the Bay of Bengal and snow-capped Himalaya for inclusive growth in the BBIN and BIMSTEC region. 

The Asian Confluence in consultations with the SANEM in Dhaka conducted a study on connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh. The study Report of entitled “Assessing Connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh: Towards a Prosperous Bay of Bengal Region” is will be released at the roundtable discussion on ‘Towards a Connected and Prosperous Bay of Bengal Region: Perspective on the Northeast India and Bangladesh Connectivity’ to be held at the India International Centre (IIC) Annexe Building, New Delhi on 11 August 2023 from 10.30 am to 1 pm. 

This Report unravels the connectivity-growth nexus in South Asia’s most happening place – Northeast India and Bangladesh. It is based on a study conducted by the Asian Confluence in consultations with the SANEM in Dhaka and key stakeholders of the region, both government and non-government entities and individuals. Based on both primary and secondary data and intensive stakeholders’ consultations, this study discusses the challenges to India-Bangladesh connectivity and presents the current status of existing and envisaged connectivity networks. It also presents policy recommendations to strengthen the NER-Bangladesh connectivity. 

AGENDA

10:00 am Registration 

Welcome Remarks

Mr Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director, Asian Confluence

Chair: Shri M P Bezbaruah, Chairman, Governing Council, Asian Confluence

Opening Remarks by

•H.E Hiroshi SUZUKI, Ambassador of Japan to India

Special Distinguished Remarks by

•H.E. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner, High Commission of Bangladesh to India

•Smt. Smita Pant, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh, Myanmar) Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

Release of Study Report, titled “Assessing Connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh: Towards a Prosperous Bay of Bengal Region”

Presentation on the Major Findings and Key Recommendations of the Study by Dr Prabir De, Professor, RIS, New Delhi

Panel Discussion     

Keynote Remarks:

•Prof. C Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute, New Delhi

Discussants:

•Shri Aditya Mishra, Chairman, Land Ports Authority of India 

•Amb. Riva Ganguly Das, Member of Governing Council, Asian Confluence and Former Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, India

Moderator 

•Shri. Ajay Sethi, Member of Governing Council, Asian Confluence, President, and Managing Director of ASA Associates 

Check out the detailed report here

Want to get in touch with us? Write to us at comms@asianconfluence.org