U.S. Consulate General Kolkata Grant: Enhancing Indo-Pacific Synergies via Bay of Bengal Initiatives

The objective is to include new stakeholders from northeastern states of India and build on the window of opportunity in which U.S. focus could catalyze infrastructure development, transnational trade and connectivity leading to sustainable regional development in the larger context of the Indo-Pacific strategy.   

Specific sub-objectives:

·        The project will discuss ways to conserve, restore, and sustain the shared rivers/inland water systems, and the linked ecosystem entities in the Bay of Bengal and the larger Indo-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on plastic pollution and addressing climate change.

·        Greater inclusion of think tanks, civil society, and cultural experts in shaping and promoting the Indo-Pacific integration, with a special focus on populations with no prior engagement.

·        The program will require regional conclaves which will facilitate discussions on ways to strengthen and sustain the trade logistics in Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, and Sikkim, with particular emphasis on sectors that leverage historical and ecological advantages.

Expected Project Deliverables: 

·        The project will include 200 new and relevant stakeholders from the northeast and raise awareness about the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal and Northeast regions, help articulate the U.S. vision and policies on the Indo Pacific and create a network of U.S. and Indian policy makers and academics. The project aims to explore ways to reinvigorate and strengthen the maritime connect among the Indo-Pacific countries, in the context of current geopolitics and historical connections. It will engage and touch upon issues of infrastructure, regional initiatives, and other strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

·        A series of stakeholder policy dialogues, across key cities of the Indian northeastern states must be organized to identify complexities, challenges, and opportunities followed by two outcome-based national level dialogues based on an intersectional format of policy and strategic cultural programs.  

·        U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and the selected grantee will ensure at least 50 percent participation of women leaders throughout the campaign to ensure representation and decision making that supports inclusive growth and gender-sensitive Indo-Pacific policies.  

·        Pre- and post-surveys at the regional consultations, multiple media articles, think tank publications, social media engagement, and number of partnerships or outcome-based discussions at the national level conclaves which will directly influence Indo-Pacific policy.  

·        Measured increases in contact base in the northeast for Mission India and measured increase in Indian audiences who understand the United States’ Indo-Pacific strategy.