The Upcoming Fourth Edition, Scheduled to Take Place in Shillong, Represents a Vital Platform for Addressing Disparities in the Bay of Bengal Region.
In the northeastern region of India, the alignment of Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific policy with India's 'Act East' and 'Neighbourhood First' initiatives presents an auspicious opportunity for collaboration. Set to take place on February 12, 2024, in Shillong, Meghalaya, the fourth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave is positioned to emerge as a crucial forum for officials, leaders, and experts from India, Japan, Bangladesh, and neighboring nations. This platform endeavors to facilitate dialogues, forge connections, and uncover potential avenues for cooperation across business, government, and academia.
Launched in 2021 by the Embassy of Japan in India and the Asian Confluence, the initiative has gained significance in addressing key issues such as connectivity in Northeast India, the establishment of industrial value chains, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. The Third Conclave, held in Agartala, Tripura, in April 2023, witnessed the participation of ministers, government officials, and business leaders. They delved into the New Plan for ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’ announced by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a month before the event.
The Conclave served as a gathering point for senior policymakers, diplomats, businesses, and academic institutions. It assessed the potential of northeast India and Bangladesh multimodal connectivity within the context of India-Japan collaboration in the Bay of Bengal region, with special attention given to Tripura and adjoining northeastern states as a future connectivity hub.
At the event, Ambassador Suzuki of Japan to India underscored the cordial relationships shared between the late Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Modi, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He emphasized Prime Minister Abe's vision of linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, assuring that the current Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has committed to carrying forward Abe's visionary endeavors during his visit to India.