US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue, Sikkim Chapter

Registration

Inaugural Session

Welcome Address by Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President – Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, Director, ORF Kolkata, and Project Director.

Special Address by C. Subhakar Rao, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Civil and Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim

Special Address by Kathy Giles-Diaz, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General Kolkata

Project Introduction by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, ORF Kolkata and Project In-Charge

Panel Discussion I: Northeast Nexus: Weaving Sikkim into the Trade Network

The Northeast is geographically positioned to be a strategic gateway to extend India’s outreach into the wider Indo-Pacific. However, it continues to suffer from gaps in connectivity infrastructure and low levels of transnational trade due to its difficult terrain and recurring political violence and ethnic conflicts, preventing its optimal utilisation. Sikkim, sharing borders with Nepal, Bhutan and China, has a pivotal role to play in evolving inter-country connectivity and boosting bilateral trade. However, political turmoil has undermined its connectivity prospects. In such circumstances, it is vital to review the cavities in existing transportation links and chart ways in which these can be improved. The feasibility of economic cooperation with the US in this regard is an area of consideration.

Endowed with this objective, this session will explore the following key question: 

1. How can Sikkim play a more pivotal role in enhancing regional trade?
2. How can Sikkim’s surface connectivity be improved with other Northeastern states and neighbouring countries? 
3. How can digital connectivity be improved in Sikkim?

Expert Panellists 

• Deigracia Nongkynrih, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, North Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya (virtual)
• Ruma Kundu, Professor, Department  of Economics, Sikkim University, Sikkim
• Sambit Dasgupta, Deputy Director, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, West Bengal
• Ashish Nath, Professor, Department of Economics, Tripura University, Tripura 
• K. Angela Lalhmingsangi, Assistant Professor Department of Economics, Mizoram University, Mizoram (virtual)

Moderator

• Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President – Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, Director, ORF Kolkata, and Project Director.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session I: Trade Trails of Northeast India: Linking Local to Global

Venue: Ballroom

Moderator: Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President – Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, Director, ORF Kolkata, and Project Director.

Initiator: Nongmaithem Sulochana Devi, Assistant Professor (S-II), Department of Economics, University of Manipur, Manipur.

Breakout Session II: The Infrastructure Frontier: Northeast India’s Connectivity Needs

Venue: Boardroom

Moderator: Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, ORF Kolkata and Project In-Charge

Initiator: Chayanika Boruah, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Dibrugarh University, Assam

Hybrid Breakout Session III: Digital Horizons: Soft Connectivity in Northeast India 

Venue: Pre-Function Area

Moderator: Anirban Sarma, Director of the Digital Societies Initiative at Observer Research Foundation & Deputy Director ORF Kolkata

Initiator: Pradyut Guha, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Sikkim University, Sikkim.

Panel Discussion I: Presentation of key points from Breakout Sessions and their Recommendations

• Breakout Session I
• Breakout Session II
• Breakout Session III (Hybrid)

Break

Panel Discussion II: Unfurling Sikkim’s Growth Story: Hindrances and Hopes

Sikkim struggles with rugged terrain and poor infrastructural connectivity. Tourism is the state’s economic backbone, but a rigid bureaucratic system restricts tourist access to certain areas, and the state’s limited economic diversification makes it a costlier destination. Poor road connectivity beyond major tourist spots further restrains its potential. Safeguarding the cultural sensitivity of local ethnic communities is also a critical challenge in the face of commercialised tourism. For long-term viability, the sector therefore needs to become sustainable. Attempts have also been made to reduce the dependency on tourism by expanding the economy. However, these have not translated into effective practices, limiting employment opportunities. Exploring the nuances of Sikkim’s challenges and identifying latent opportunities is thus necessary.

Endowed with this objective, this session will explore the following key questions: 

1. How can Sikkim ensure sustainable tourism?
2. How can Sikkim expand its economy and provide an alternate livelihood to its youth?
3. What is the role of women in Sikkim’s growth story?

Expert Panellists:

• Shefali Sharma, Assistant Front Office Manager, Ramada by Wyndham Gangtok Hotel & Casino Golden, Sikkim
• Abdul Hannan, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Sikkim 
• Niranjan Debnath, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, SRM University, Sikkim
• Tenzing Doma Bhutia, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Sikkim Manipal University
• Malina Lepcha, Owner, Rehoboth Tours and Travels, Sikkim

Moderator

• Anirban Sarma, Director of the Digital Societies Initiative at Observer Research Foundation & Deputy Director ORF Kolkata

Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session IV: Sustainable Tourism: Harbinger of Sikkim’s Economic Journey

Venue: Ballroom

Moderator: Amit Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Sikkim University, Sikkim

Initiator: Pawas Chaturvedi, Research Scholar, Department of Tourism, Sikkim University, Sikkim

Breakout Session V: Reset the Economy: Unleashing Opportunities for Sikkim’s Youth

Venue: Boardroom

Moderator:  Kul Bahadur Chettri, Assistant Professor, Sikkim Government College, Sikkim

Initiator: Ugyal T. Lama Yolmo, Guest Faculty, Department of Mass Communication, North Bengal University, West Bengal 

Hybrid Breakout Session VI: Women First: Tracking Gender Roles in Sikkim’s Progress and the Northeast

Venue: Pre- Function

Moderator: Nandana Dutta, Professor, Department of English, Gauhati University, Assam

Initiator: Manisha Sharma, Founder, Tag Along, Sikkim

Panel Discussion II: Presentation of key points from Breakout Sessions and their Recommendations

• Breakout Session IV
• Breakout Session V
• Breakout Session VI (Hybrid)

Break

Panel Discussion III: Northeast India on the World Stage: High Ground for India-US Ties

Located at the juncture of South and Southeast Asia, India’s Northeast is a geographic pivot from which its multiple bordering countries can be accessed. In the era of the Indo-Pacific, where interconnectedness is essential among countries for mutual advantages and to address transnational challenges that affect people regardless of political boundaries, the time is ripe to unlock the Northeast’s true potential. Accordingly, the region has risen to the forefront of foreign policy interests of countries invested in the Indian Ocean region, which together with India seeks to create a free and open Indo-Pacific. India’s Northeast thus becomes a zone of their converging policy interests, and a natural platform for their collaborative initiatives towards developing a more free, open, connected, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific. 

Endowed with this objective, this session will explore the following key question: 

1. What are the prospects for India-US economic  cooperation in the Northeast?
2. What are the challenges currently affecting the Northeast’s growth?
3. How can Sikkim’s economic, social and cultural resources be effectively utilized to shape its projection on the world stage?

Expert Panellists 

• Durga Prasad Chhetri, Professor, Department of  Political Science, Sikkim University, Sikkim  
• Susmita Sengupta, Professor, Department of Political Science, North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya (virtual)
• Dibyajyoti Dutta, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Dibrugarh University, Assam.
• Arun Kanti Jana,  Professor, Department of Political Science, North Bengal University, West Bengal
• Vijayalakshmi Brara, Independent Scholar on North East India

Moderator

• Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury

Break

..

Thomas Lynch, Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for Strategic Research, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, USA. (virtual) 

In-Conversation with 

Vivek Mishra, Deputy Director – Strategic Studies Programme, ORF. (virtual)

Presentation of Scholars’ Audit Report

Post-Dialogue Survey

Closing Session

Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, ORF Kolkata and Project In-Charge

High Tea