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India’s Northeast is strategically located as a land bridge to Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, the area faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and limited cross-border trade. The ‘U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North-Eastern Dialogue’ organised by Observer Research Foundation in association with the United States Consulate General in Kolkata, aims to foster deliberations on connectivity and economic prosperity in India's Northeast within the wider Indo-Pacific region, to enhance awareness and understanding of the existing challenges and opportunities for possible India-US cooperation. The project engages various sectors, including government, commercial enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups, with a focus on the youth of the Northeast. The initiative involves five policy dialogues across the Northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur and two national dialogues in Kolkata and New Delhi, engaging 200 stakeholders from the Northeast. The first regional dialogue of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy North-Eastern conversation was held in Shillong, Meghalaya, on 26 November 2024, followed by the second regional dialogue in Guwahati, Assam, on 13 December 2024.
The third regional dialogue of the USSF Northeastern Dialogue project was scheduled as a day-long event on 7 May 2025 at Ramada by Wyndham Gangtok Hotel & Casino Golden, Gangtok, Sikkim. The inaugural session began with a welcome address by the Project Director, Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President, Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, Director, ORF Kolkata. Special addresses were delivered by C. Subhakar Rao, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Civil and Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, and Kathy Giles-Diaz, Consul General, U.S. Consulate General Kolkata. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, the Project In-Charge and Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, introduced the objective and design of the event.
The Sikkim Chapter witnessed the participation of 45 delegates, among whom 14 attended digitally. The event was structured around three panel discussions. After each of the first and second panel discussions, there were three parallel breakout sessions to facilitate more focused discussions among the participants. Additionally, the delegates completed two survey questionnaires: A pre-conference survey to capture their initial opinions and a post-conference survey to evaluate if and how their views had evolved after engaging in the discussions.
The first panel discussion was on “Northeast Nexus: Weaving Sikkim into the Trade Network,” moderated by Nilanjan Ghosh. The expert panellists were Deigracia Nongkynrih, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, North Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya (virtual); Ruma Kundu, Professor, Department of Economics, Sikkim University, Sikkim (virtual); Sambit Dasgupta, Deputy Director, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, West Bengal; Ashish Nath, Professor, Department of Economics, Tripura University, Tripura and K. Angela Lalhmingsangi, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Mizoram University, Mizoram (virtual). The key issues highlighted in the session were the urgent enhancement of Sikkim’s digital connectivity and surface connectivity with other Northeastern states and neighbouring countries, to establish a more pivotal role in boosting trade. Taking cognisance of the lack of a functional mode of transportation in the state, the urgency of establishing an effective multimodal transportation system via roadways, railways, and airways was emphasised. Additionally, the potential of informal trade and incentivization of investments by establishing special economic zones and logistics hubs was underscored. This paved the way for the breakout sessions that followed, which explored key aspects of trade and connectivity in greater depth.
Breakout Session I was on “Trade Trails of Northeast India: Linking Local to Global”. It was moderated by Nilanjan Ghosh with Nongmaithem Sulochana Devi, Assistant Professor (S-III), Department of Economics, University of Manipur, Manipur, as the Initiator. It emphasised the need to strengthen the capacities of local artisans along with the enhancement of market linkages through improved infrastructure, digital platforms, and e-commerce tools. It further explored themes like sustainable and ethical trade practices through policy support and financial inclusion. Breakout Session II was moderated by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and initiated by Chayanika Boruah, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Dibrugarh University, Assam. The session focused on “The Infrastructure Frontier: Northeast India’s Connectivity Needs”. The discussions brought forth the importance of a regional community-centric development approach. Pivoting once again to a more regional outlook, the delegates discussed how Northeast’s geography makes it a potential hub for hydro-power exploration, but highlighted the need for sensitivity towards the region’s landscapes and the livelihood of locals. The Hybrid Breakout Session III on “Digital Horizons: Soft Connectivity in Northeast India” was moderated by Anirban Sarma, Director of the Digital Societies Initiative at Observer Research Foundation & Deputy Director, ORF Kolkata, and initiated by Pradyut Guha, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Sikkim University, Sikkim.
The second panel discussion, titled “Unfurling Sikkim’s Growth Story: Hindrances and Hopes,” was moderated by Anirban Sarma, brought together Shefali Sharma, Assistant Front Office Manager, Ramada by Wyndham Gangtok Hotel & Casino Golden, Sikkim; Abdul Hannan, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Sikkim; Tenzing Doma Bhutia, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Sikkim Manipal University and Malina Lepcha, Owner, Rehoboth Tours and Travels, Sikkim; as expert panellists. The discussion began with tourism synonymous with Sikkim, exploring how the challenging topography and inadequate infrastructural connectivity impede tourist access, constraining the region's economic diversification. The concept of community-based ecotourism was proposed to enhance the state's revenue from tourism. The preservation of regional culture and the education of locals about their heritage were highlighted to foster a comprehensive tourism industry in the state.
During the subsequent Breakout Sessions, key elements of the discussion were examined in greater detail. Breakout Session IV focused on “Sustainable Tourism: Harbinger of Sikkim’s Economic Journey”. It was moderated by Amit Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Sikkim University, Sikkim, and initiated by Pawas Chaturvedi, Research Scholar, Department of Tourism, Sikkim University, Sikkim. The session delved into the transformative potential of digital solutions in enhancing Sikkim’s tourism experience. The holistic development of Sikkim, which focused on its remote and less accessible regions to unlock untapped potential, was also highlighted. The Breakout Session V titled, “Reset the Economy: Unleashing Opportunities for Sikkim’s Youth,” was moderated by Kul Bahadur Chettri, Assistant Professor, Sikkim Government College, Sikkim, and initiated by Ugyal T. Lama Yolmo, Guest Faculty, Department of Mass Communication, North Bengal University, Siliguri. Discussions were based on the limited employment opportunities for Sikkim’s youth, indicating a need for sustainable development, skill enhancement, and entrepreneurship. The Hybrid Breakout Session VI on “Women First: Tracking Gender Roles in Sikkim’s Progress and the Northeast” was moderated by Nandana Dutta, Professor, Department of English, Gauhati University, Assam, with Manisha Sharma, Founder, Tag Along, Sikkim, as the Initiator.
The third-panel discussion on “Northeast India on the World Stage: High Ground for India-US Ties,” moderated by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, featured 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 and Vijayalakshmi Brara, Independent Scholar on North East India, as expert panellists. The session analysed the urgency to recognise Northeast's ultimate potential in the context 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.
Towards the close of the event, a virtual session featured a conversation between Thomas Lynch, Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for Strategic Research, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, United States, and Vivek Mishra, Deputy Director – Strategic Studies Programme, ORF. The discussion dwelt on the consistency of US foreign policy in its objectives, particularly on the liberal international rules-based system that underscores the significance of free and unfettered commerce.
The last segment of the event was the Presentation of Scholars’ Audit Report, where a group of research scholars observed the day-long proceedings and identified key recommendations they deemed significant for the region’s future. The suggestions included expediting the construction of alternate land routes and railway projects to enhance connectivity in the region. The creation of a climate of investment for modern high-tech industries was also mentioned.
In her closing remarks, Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury outlined the key points of the day-long discussions, underscoring the Northeast's capacity to catalyse economic integration and geopolitical ties within the wider Indo-Pacific context.
This event report has been written by Sohini Bose and Tiyasha Purohit
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