THE U.S. CONSULATE General Kolkata, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), held a virtual Manipur Chapter of the ongoing U.S. government-funded grant project, the “U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: Northeastern Dialogue”, on July 10-11. The two-day Manipur Chapter is a part of the effort to better understand and unlock the significant role of Northeast in India’s Indo-Pacific vision.
The dialogue—part of an 18-month project—aims to build understanding of the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy and explore avenues for advancing trade, connectivity, and economic growth through the U.S.-India partnership under President Trump’s administration. It aims to discuss policies and advance the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific in India’s Northeast, and underscore its role in developing trade, connectivity, and economic prosperity in the region through U.S.-India cooperation, the ORF Kolkata said in a release.
“This Dialogue is part of a larger effort to better understand and unlock the role of the Northeast in India’s Indo-Pacific vision. At a time when the world is looking eastward for economic partnerships and strategic convergence, this region is not a peripheral space. It is central to India’s connectivity aspirations, to cross-border trade, and to regional cooperation,” said Nilanjan Ghosh, vice president, Development Studies, in his welcome address. Ghosh is also director of ORF Kolkata, and project director USSFIP Northeastern Dialogue.
Manipur Chapter convened 37 stakeholders from across the Northeast and India. They hailed from different sectors, including government, businesses, civil society, NGOs, media, academia, and policy research, the release stated.
The release further stated that the event was divided into six panel discussions on trade, physical connectivity infrastructure, digital connectivity, the economic prosperity of Manipur, the importance of small-scale industries in the Northeast, and the geopolitical importance of this region within the Indo-Pacific gamut. The discussions featured several experts from various policy fields.
Elizabeth Lee, public affairs officer of the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and director of the American Center, underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. She emphasized the importance of infrastructure development, trade, and people-to-people ties.
“Manipur is uniquely positioned for rapid development, and that’s the basis of growth, for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Building strong, sustainable infrastructure is going to be key to unlocking the Indo-Pacific’s full economic potential, and the economic potential here is significant,” Lee said.
Yumnam Robita, director of Trade, Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur, also spoke at the event and stressed on the strategic geographical position of Manipur in India’s trade, specifically with Southeast Asian countries.
Robita drew attention to upcoming transnational highways and enhanced connectivity via the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, once it is functional. Manipur is vital for India’s Act East policy, she added.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Satu Limaye, vice president of the East-West Center and director of the East-West Center, USA, reinforced the US recognition of India as a like-minded partner and a leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the release stated.
“A driving force of the Quad and other regional forums, Northeast India will play a vital role in promoting connectivity with the wider Southeast Asia region,” he mentioned.
Subsequently, Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, ORF and Project In-Charge USSFIP Northeastern Dialogue, introduced the project to the delegates and audience. She underlined the importance of enhanced connectivity in Northeast India while noting that the security-development conundrum often hampers progress.
Chaudhury also mentioned the importance of a robust and well-connected connectivity network to unlock the region’s potential and set the tone for the following panel discussions.
The sessions were also audited by research scholars, who highlighted key takeaways for the youth. Previous chapters were held in three states of Northeast India – Meghalaya, Assam, and Sikkim, the release added. For more information, visit here.
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