Asian Confluence

In this episode of Reimagining the Bay of Bengal, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (Retd.) and Mr. Neeraj Singh Manhas delve into the world of undersea cables, discussing their strategic and economic importance in today's connected world. Admiral Khanna argues that undersea cables need to be secured from natural and human threats through a proactive, multi-layered approach, which involves: 🏗️ Building more cables and cable landing stations. 🛠️ Developing domestic cable repair facilities. 🧠 Deploying self-sensing cables that can detect incoming threats. 📡 Developing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA). 🛰️ Diversifying to space-based internet services. 🔗 Catch the full conversation here: tr.ee/UnG41Vsdve #underseacables #bayofbengal #IndoPacific #geopolitics #StraitofHormuz #India @The_China_Chap @MontyKhanna2308

Dr. Mayumi Murayama reflects on the re-emergence of the Bay of Bengal as a region of growing strategic and economic importance, arguing that this shift is driven by the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). She also emphasises the need to strengthen trade and connectivity in the region, while highlighting the significant role of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies in advancing these efforts. Dr Mayumi Murayama is a Senior Research Fellow at IDE-JETRO and a Distinguished Fellow at Asian Confluence. #bayofbengal #japan #china #beltandroadinitiative #indopacific @ide_jetro @JETRO_info @JapaninIndia

Is Northeast India a seamless gateway to Southeast Asia—or a far more complex frontier? 🌏 In this ASCON Commentary, Mr Sangmuan Hangsing examines how connectivity under India’s Act East Policy is shaped not only by infrastructure, but also by governance, security dynamics, and evolving border realities with Myanmar and Bangladesh. 🔍He argues for strengthening intra-regional connectivity within the Northeast, investing in logistics ecosystems, and enhancing district-level administrative coordination. 🔗 Read the full piece: tr.ee/Os8HXIcIgh #ActEastPolicy #NorthEastIndia #geopolitics #SouthEastAsia #connectivity #infrastructure #India

According to a recent JETRO survey, 40% of Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh have expressed interest in investing in North East India. In this context, Mr. Yuji Ando, Senior Director for Global Strategy (South West Asia), Planning Department, JETRO, outlines how foreign investment can contribute to enhancing connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region. He further elaborates on the role of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in facilitating regional cooperation and economic integration. @ide_jetro @JETRO_INDIA @JapaninIndia #japan #india #BayOfBengal #investment #trade

In the fifth episode of Reimagining the Bay of Bengal, Mr. Rajat Nag and Mr. Neeraj Singh Manhas examine the pivotal role of multilateral institutions—such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank—in driving connectivity and development across the region. 🏛️📈 Mr. Rajat Nag, Member of the Governing Council at Asian Confluence, contends that for such efforts to be truly effective, nation-states must take a more proactive lead in empowering regional and multilateral institutions. 🤝🌏 He points to the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) as successful blueprints for this level of cooperation. 📑🚀 🎥 Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/TqH_FSD8-gU #BayOfBengal #Multilateralism #RegionalConnectivity #EconomicIntegration #ADB #WorldBank #AsianConfluence #CAREC #GMS #PublicPolicy #RegionalCooperation #EconomicDevelopment #Geopolitics #SouthAsia #SoutheastAsia @rajatmnag @The_China_Chap @ADB_HQ @ADBInstitute @WorldBankIndia @WorldBankSAsia @WorldBankGroup

Dr. So Umezaki, Director, Development Studies Center, IDE-JETRO, highlighted the significance of the Bay of Bengal region within the broader Indo-Pacific framework, emphasizing the important role of think tanks in fostering meaningful people-to-people connections both within the region and beyond. During his visit, Dr Umezaki toured the Asian Confluence Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies. @ide_jetro @ide_jetro_eng @JETRO_INDIA @umezakiso @JapaninIndia @japan

At KIZUNA 6, Mr. Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India, highlighted how rapid infrastructure development and an improving security environment have significantly contributed to the development of Northeast India. #KIZUNA6 #KizunaConclave @jica_direct_en @JapaninIndia @CR_JICAIndia @MEAIndia @SPF_PR

Asian Confluence hosted a closed-door roundtable titled “India’s Neighbourhood: Myanmar and the Evolving Regional Landscape” in Shillong on 11 March 2026. The discussion was attended by Ms. Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (PP&R and CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, along with a high-level delegation from the MEA’s PP&R Division, Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), and Border Cell. Participants discussed political and security developments in Myanmar, fencing along the Indo–Myanmar border, and changes to the Free Movement Regime (FMR), as well as their implications for India's Act East Policy and connectivity projects in the region. @MEAIndia @aparnaray_ifs @bpandanehu @k_yhome @KonsamHimalay @Rejaul @biswajitmohptra @nehu_shg @IndiainMyanmar @MyanmarEmbDelhi #myanmar #india #ActEastPolicy #NeighbourhoodFirst

In his remarks at KIZUNA 6, H.E. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, reflected on Bangladesh–Japan relations and Bangladesh’s vision for strengthening connectivity across the Bay of Bengal region. He also highlighted the Matarbari Integrated Deep Sea Port as a crucial project for advancing regional connectivity and economic integration. @hamidullah_riaz @bdhc_delhi

Shri Ngulkham Jathom Gangte, Acting DDG, ICWA delivered a Special Address at the 6th Edition of India Japan Intellectual Conclave - ‘Kizuna’ at Shillong, 26th & 27th February 2026, Asian Confluence @AsianConfluence. He highlighted that India–Japan relationship has evolved into a Special Strategic and Global Partnership one that increasingly serves as a stabilising and forward looking pillar in the Indo-Pacific region.

At KIZUNA 6, Mr N. J. Gangte, Secretary and OSD (Establishment), @MEAIndia, and Acting DDG, ICWA, spoke about the resilience of India–Japan relations, noting how the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has remained steady and robust even amidst a turbulent and evolving global order. @MEAIndia @SPF_PR @JapaninIndia @MeghalayaGov @CMO_Meghalaya @ICWA_NewDelhi

H.E. Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India and Bhutan, delivered the Opening Address at KIZUNA 6, focussing on Japan's critical role in advancing hard, soft and people-to-people connectivity across North East India and its neighbourhood. @JapaninIndia @MEAIndia @SPF_PR @jica_direct @jica_direct_en @MeghalayaGov

In Episode 4 of Reimagining the Bay of Bengal, Amb. Riva Ganguly Das and Mr. Neeraj Singh Manhas examine the evolving trajectory of India–Bangladesh relations in the context of the recent elections in Bangladesh. In light of recent tensions, Amb. Das emphasises that strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, and civil society linkages, alongside deeper cooperation on climate change, will be key pillars to move the bilateral relationship forward. Watch the full episode: youtu.be/JqzHIxW_4c4?si… @The_China_Chap @rivagdas

#KIZUNA 6:a power-packed, intense two day deliberation on the growing NorthEastIndia-Japan partnership. Circular economy, semiconductor industry, hospitality&services,skilling- immense scope&potential. Need to build trust with more P2P connects. @AsianConfluence @SangmaConrad

Asian Confluence is deeply grateful to Shri Conrad Sangma, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, for his insightful Inaugural Address at KIZUNA 6. In the address, he positioned Meghalaya as ripe for investments in the fields of semiconductors, skilling, clean energy and tourism sectors, highlighting the state's consistent high growth rate of over 10% in the past three years. @CMO_Meghalaya @SangmaConrad @MEAIndia @JapaninIndia @SPF_PR

State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII visited Republic of India, and attended the Sixth India Japan Intellectual Conclave. In addition, he respectively held meetings with the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Assam, visited the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, and held discussions with representatives of Japanese companies in #India. mofa.go.jp/s_sa/sw/in/pag…

Pleased to see State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII’s productive visit to India! He became the first Political Representative of the Government of Japan to attend KIZUNA-6 in Shillong and held meaningful talks with CM @SangmaConrad and CM @himantabiswa🇯🇵🤝🇮🇳 @AsianConfluence