On February 12, 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 organised 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).
Hiroshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to India, highlighted the need to identify viable projects for investments in the region.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, H.E. Amb. Mustafizur Rehman, focusing on connectivity between India and Bangladesh, emphasised that connectivity projects must be mutually beneficial.
Special Secretary, Economic Relations & Development Partnership Administration, MEA, P Kumaran, highlighted the importance of robust connectivity between India and Bangladesh as a game-changer for the Bay of Bengal region. Secretary, North Eastern Council, K Moses Chalai, stressed the significance of developing urban infrastructure in Northeast India to contribute around 5 per cent of India’s GDP by 2047.
Interactive panel discussions on “Towards Creating Industrial Value Chains: Voices from the Industry” and “Empowering Institutional Infrastructure for People Connectivity” were chaired by Members of the Governing Council, Asian Confluence, Ajay Sethi and Amb. Riva Ganguly Das, respectively. Representatives from Japanese institutions such as JICA and JETRO shared their insights on strengthening connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region.
Policymakers, institutional representatives, business representatives, academicians, and media professionals from India, Bangladesh, and Japan participated in the conclave, sharing ideas to strengthen people-to-people ties within the region and with Japan.
Members of parliament and political leaders from Northeast India, who had visited Japan in 2023 as part of a project initiated by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, proposed several initiatives to leverage Japanese technology and know-how in the region. Minister of Sports and Youth Services of Mizoram, Lalnghinglova Hmar, emphasised the potential of the state’s high literacy rate, large forest cover, and tech-savvy youth to attract investments.
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In his valedictory address, Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Tourism, Meghalaya, highlighted the importance of engaging the youth as ambassadors of people-to-people connectivity between Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Japan.
The event concluded with a brief update on the progress in enhancing connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh.
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