In a joint initiative, the United States Consulate General in Kolkata, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), organized the United States Indo-Pacific Strategy: North-Eastern Dialogues (USIPS NED) Assam Chapter at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati on December 13.
The one-day event brought together policymakers, analysts, and experts to discuss opportunities and challenges for Northeast India in the context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The event aimed to shed light on the role of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy in addressing the region’s infrastructure gaps, enhancing cross-border trade, and mitigating climate vulnerabilities through India-U.S. collaboration.
Attendees :
Prominent attendees included Anirban Sarma, Director of the Digital Societies Initiative & Deputy Director at ORF Kolkata; Gloria Berbena, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy, United States Embassy, New Delhi; Dr. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow at ORF Kolkata and Project In-Charge of USIPS NED; Jaideep Saikia, Security and Terrorism Analyst; Anirban Roy, Editor-in-Chief of Northeast News; and the writer (Arkajyoti Majumder, journalist from Tripura Times and founder of The Ultimate Khabar), alongside 37 delegates who engaged in three panel discussions and two breakout sessions.
Panel Discussion I: Northeast India on the World Stage: High Ground for India-U.S. Ties
The first panel discussion explored Northeast India’s unique geographic position at the confluence of South and Southeast Asia.
Panelists highlighted how the region serves as a critical pivot for accessing neighboring countries, making it a key area of focus for India’s foreign policy and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy.
According to a report published in the Northeast News, Gloria Berbena emphasized the importance of fostering India-US collaboration, stating “Exploring a range of collaborative activities, including enhancing interoperability between Indo-Pacific stakeholders in the Bay of Bengal region and Northeast India, aligns with the latter’s aspirations for greater economic growth.”
Jaideep Saikia and Anirban Roy raised concerns about the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh and Myanmar and stressed that addressing these geopolitical challenges is essential for maintaining global peace and security.
Panel Discussion II: Northeast Nexus: Weaving Assam into the Trade Network
The second panel discussion examined Assam’s strategic importance in boosting transnational trade and connectivity.
Positioned as a gateway to Bhutan in the north and Bangladesh in the south, Assam offers immense opportunities for India’s outreach into the Indo-Pacific.
However, poor infrastructure, challenging terrain, and recurring ethnic conflicts have restricted its growth.
Pitching for improving the transportation links, the panelists also discussed the possibility of collaboration between India and the U.S. to bolster Assam’s trade infrastructure, thereby improving its role as a crucial trade hub.
Panel Discussion III: Climate Conversations: Paths to Resilience in Assam and the Northeast
The third session focused on the pressing issue of climate change, which poses a severe threat to Northeast India due to its fragile ecosystems and climate-sensitive livelihoods.
The discussions highlighted the challenges of increased rainfall, deforestation, soil erosion, and rising temperatures, all of which have significant socio-economic and environmental implications.
Taking part in the discussion, the writer (Arkajyoti Majumder) highlighted the seasonal changes over the past decade and their impact on public health in Tripura and Northeastern States.
He proposed leveraging U.S.-India collaboration under the LEAF Coalition of the UNFCCC to address issues such as landslides in Northeast India.
Majumder pointed out, “The Government of India recognizes the Northeast as a crucial factor in maintaining ecological balance. Allocating green funds to this region will not only help mitigate local environmental issues but also allow heavily polluted cities like Delhi and Mumbai to experience improved air quality”.
The panelists especially Majumder suggested innovative approaches to raise awareness about climate change. “Artificial Intelligence can play a transformative role,” he opined.
In the discussion, importance of promoting indigenous medicinal plants to reduce pollution from the pharmaceutical industry was also discussed.
Moreover, Majumder called for media literacy programs in schools to help people better understand and interpret news, ensuring that citizens are informed and aware of global and regional issues.
Conclusion :
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy: North-Eastern Dialogues Assam Chapter concluded with a renewed commitment to the goals outlined during the discussions.
By addressing infrastructural gaps, fostering trade, and mitigating climate vulnerabilities, the event reaffirmed the significance of India-U.S. collaboration in unlocking the Northeast’s potential and contributing to a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
The delegates collectively emphasized the need for sustained efforts to turn challenges into opportunities for the region’s growth and prosperity.
#Arkajyoti Majumder may be contacted at arkamajumder65@gmail.com
(Assam, Northeast)
