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India's Northeast region serves as the critical geopolitical fulcrum of the 'Act East' policy, functioning as the terrestrial bridge that connects the Indian subcontinent to the strategic landscape and economies of South and southeast Asia. Therefore, the development of its infrastructure and security architecture is paramount to operationalising India's vision for an integrated and stable Indo-Pacific, enabling resilient supply chains while mitigating transnational security threats and adverse external influences. The U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North-Eastern Dialogue, a joint initiative by the Observer Research Foundation and the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata, critically examined the pivotal role of India's Northeast in regional connectivity, aiming to articulate actionable pathways for strengthening U.S.-India collaboration on shared economic and strategic interests. This initiative convenes a diverse coalition of stakeholders from government, commercial, non-governmental, and civil society sectors, with a strategic emphasis on the youth of Northeast India. The project framework includes seven policy dialogues designed to engage 200 regional participants: five forums across the Northeastern states and two national-level consultations in Kolkata and New Delhi. The inaugural regional dialogue was held in Shillong on 26 November 2024, followed by a second in Guwahati on 13 December 2024, third regional event on 7 May 2025 in Gangtok, Sikkim and fourth dialogue i.e Manipur Chapter held as a two-day virtual event on 10 and 11 July 2025.
The fifth regional dialogue of the USSFIP Northeastern Dialogue project was scheduled as a day-long event on 25 September 2025 at Aijal Club, Aizawl, Mizoram. The inaugural session was initiated with a welcome address by the Project Director, Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President, Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, Director, ORF Kolkata. His remarks were followed by Special addresses from, Garima Gupta, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Mizoram, and Kathy Giles-Diaz, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General Kolkata. The session's agenda and objectives were then formally introduced by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, the event’s Project In-Charge and Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation.
The Mizoram Chapter convened 43 delegates in a hybrid format, with 10 participating virtually. The event's framework was built upon three central panel discussions. These were supplemented by parallel breakout sessions following the first two panels to enable in-depth analysis of key topics. A key component of the methodological involvement was integrated into the event design through two surveys: one administered prior to the conference to gauge initial viewpoints, and a second upon its conclusion to evaluate the impact of the dialogue on participant perspectives.
The first panel discussion was on “Northeast Nexus: Weaving Mizoram into the Trade Network,” moderated by Nilanjan Ghosh. The expert panellists were Anamika Barua, Professor, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Guwahati; Vivek Verma, Secretary, Land Ports Authority of India, Government of India, New Delhi; Darishisha W. Thangkhiew, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya; Suwa Lal Jangu, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Mizoram University, Mizoram and Vanlalchhawna, Professor, Department of Economics, Mizoram University. Speakers emphasised that for Mizoram to leverage its strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia, it must first strengthen its internal economy. A central theme was the necessity of converting the state's potential in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, and bamboo into productive output through significant value addition, which would make local industries competitive for export. This transformation requires a dual investment in both physical and systemic infrastructure, such as upgrading landports into comprehensive economic hubs with integrated financial services and improving logistics like cold storage and road connectivity. Experts concluded that overcoming institutional gaps in consensus, administration, and monitoring is just as critical as physical development to lower business costs and translate Mizoram's natural advantages into sustainable economic growth.
Breakout Session I was on “Trade Trails of Northeast India: Linking Local to Global”. It was moderated by Vanlalchhawna with Rupam Bhaduri, Post Doctoral Research Scholar, Centre for Disaster Management and Research, IIT Guwahati, Assam, as the Initiator. The discussion underscored the dual necessity of up-skilling local artisans and expanding their market access. Key strategies identified include strengthening physical infrastructure and integrating artisans into the digital economy through e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, it was emphasized that sustainable growth hinges on fostering ethical trade practices, which requires a supportive policy environment and robust initiatives for financial inclusion. Breakout Session II was moderated by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and initiated by Dennis Fanai, Founder and CEO, Xplora Tours and Travels, Mizoram. The session focused on “The Infrastructure Frontier: Northeast India’s Connectivity Needs”. The dialogue established a clear consensus on adopting a regional development paradigm that is fundamentally community-centric. This principle was exemplified through the discussion on hydropower, where the Northeast's topographical advantages present significant opportunities. Conversely, it was strongly emphasized that harnessing this potential is contingent upon a development framework that prioritizes ecological preservation and mitigates any adverse impacts on the livelihoods of local populations. The Hybrid Breakout Session III on “Digital Horizons: Soft Connectivity in Northeast India” was moderated by Sauradeep Bag, Associate Fellow, Centre for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Observer Research Foundation.
The second panel discussion, titled “Unfurling Mizoram’s Growth Story: Hindrances and Hopes,” was moderated by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, brought together a distinguished panel of experts, blending academic insights with entrepreneurial experience, K. Robin, Professor, Department of History, Mizoram University, Mizoram; Dina Chhangte, CEO, Kings Industry Bamboo, Falkland, Aizawl, Mizoram; Samuel Chuaungo, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Mizoram University, Mizoram; H Elizabeth, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Mizoram University, Mizoram and Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Mizoram University. The panel concluded that a holistic development strategy is essential for Mizoram's economic advancement, one that integrates economic diversification with enhanced connectivity. Experts advocated for strategically developing key sectors such as sustainable agro- and eco-tourism, and revitalising indigenous industries by leveraging the state’s rich agricultural resources, particularly its legacy in bamboo. This approach, built upon a framework focusing on tourism's core components like 4A’s-Attraction, Accessibility, Amenities, and Ancillary services which aims to create flagship sectors that can showcase Mizoram's capacity for international trade. This economic vision is fundamentally supported by two pillars: the deliberate economic inclusion and skill enhancement of women, who are central to the local economy, and the strengthening of border management to ensure regional security and manage social stability.
The ensuing breakout sessions provided a forum for a more detailed analysis of the key topics discussed. Breakout Session IV focused on “The Small-scale Industries in India’s Northeast: From Local to Global”. It was moderated by Sreeparna Banerjee, Associate Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, and initiated by Gurram Ramakrishna, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Mizoram University, Mizoram. Mizoram's small-scale industries, rooted in a rich bio-cultural heritage of bamboo craftsmanship, handloom textiles, and niche horticulture, possess the intrinsic potential to transition from localised markets to integrated global value chains. However, unlocking this potential is contingent upon strategic interventions in technological up-gradation for value addition, the development of robust logistical infrastructure, and enhanced digital integration to connect Mizo artisans and entrepreneurs directly with international markets. The Breakout Session V titled, “Reset the Economy: Unleashing Opportunities for Mizoram’s Youth,” was moderated by Anamika Barua. The Hybrid Breakout Session VI on “People-to-People Connectivity in India’s Northeast” was moderated by Sekhar Kottu, Professor, Department of Social Work, Mizoram University, Mizoram, with Letkhogin Mate, Research Scholar, Department of Social Work, Mizoram University, as the Initiator.
The third-panel discussion on “Northeast India on the World Stage: High Ground for India-US Ties,” moderated by Sohini Bose, Associate Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, and Project Coordinator, USSFIP North Eastern Dialogue featured Bhagirathi Panda, Professor, Department of Economics, North Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya; Sanjay Pulipaka, Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation, Hyderabad (virtual); Nikita Mohta, Journalist, The Indian Express, New Delhi (virtual); Pricilla JC Chawngmawii, Research Scholar, ICSSR Fellow, Mizoram University; Sreeparna Banerjee, Associate Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies Initiative, Observer Research Foundation as expert panellists. Harnessing Mizoram's potential as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia is fundamentally constrained by a dual challenge: significant internal infrastructure deficits and external political instability from its international borders. Overcoming these obstacles requires a multi-pronged strategy that harmonises top-down policy, such as the Act East initiative, with bottom-up, community-driven actions to ensure local ownership and stability. By fostering an efficient institutional framework to attract capital and making targeted investments, Mizoram can leverage its high performance in sustainable development to become a connected economic hub, achieving an integrated sustainability that serves as a blueprint for the entire Northeast. The event concluded with a virtual conversation between Harsh V. Pant, Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, Associate Fellow, Strategic Studies Programme’s Neighbourhood Studies Initiative, Observer Research Foundation.
The event culminated with the presentation of a Scholars' Audit Report, which synthesised key recommendations derived from the day's proceedings. The scholars identified two critical priorities for the region's future: accelerating the development of alternative land and rail routes to enhance connectivity, and fostering a conducive investment climate to attract modern, high-tech industries.
In her closing address, Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury synthesised the day's key takeaways, reiterating the Northeast's strategic potential to serve as a critical nexus for driving economic integration and geopolitical linkages across the broader Indo-Pacific region.
This event report has been written by Sreerupa Basu, Research Intern at ORF Kolkata.
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