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Shillong, Oct 31 (IANS) A new ‘Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies’ was launched in Shillong on Friday to strengthen research, policy dialogue and regional cooperation among the countries and states associated with the Bay of Bengal. The initiative seeks to promote cooperation in the areas of trade, connectivity and sustainable development across South and Southeast Asia.
The Center will serve as a platform to promote academic and policy exchange and experts to facilitate “third place” collaboration between regional stakeholders.
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion on “From the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: Envisioning a Resilient and Prosperous Future – Opportunities and Challenges”, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), said that the Center for Bay of Bengal Studies will play an important role in strengthening regional engagement.
Ambassador Pandey described the initiative as timely and said it is in line with the growing need for deeper cooperation amid emerging global and regional challenges.
CSR Ram, Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC and SAARC) in the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized India’s policy on regional cooperation through initiatives such as Neighborhood First, Act East Policy and OCEAN (Reciprocal and Comprehensive Advancement for Security and Development in the Regions) framework.
Former North Eastern Council (NEC) member MP Bezbarua and former Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh highlighted the importance of improving physical and economic connectivity between India and South East Asia to unlock the potential of the Gulf region.
Former Surveyor General of India Prithviish Nag, in his presentation, traced the historical role of the Bay of Bengal as a center of maritime trade and cultural exchange, and called for renewed efforts to restore its economic and strategic vitality.
The inaugural discussion included senior diplomats and policy representatives from BIMSTEC member countries, including Abe Noraike, Minister and Counselor (Political), Embassy of Japan in India; Preeti Rahman, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India; Ambika Prasad Joshi, Counselor (Minister), Nepal Embassy in India; and Tshewang Dorji, Director (Bhutan), BIMSTEC.
Speakers emphasized that the Bay of Bengal region lies at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia and is central to India’s strategic outreach under the Neighborhood First and BIMSTEC frameworks. He called for practical, commercially viable and mutually beneficial partnerships to pursue economic and social development.
The establishment of the center is expected to enhance regional understanding and policy cooperation through research-based initiatives and continuous dialogue between governments, think tanks, academics and businesses in the Bay of Bengal region, a statement said.
–IANS
SC/PGH