2021-06-01-观察家研究基金会-The_Role_of_India_s_Northeast_in_the_Regional_Cooperation_Architecture_22页_10mb

Summary of "The Role of India's Northeast in the Regional Cooperation Architecture"

Core Content

This report explores the strategic and economic importance of India's Northeast Region (NER) in fostering regional cooperation and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific areas. It highlights the role of the NER as a bridge between India and its eastern and Southeast Asian neighbours, emphasizing its potential to enhance trade, security, and cultural ties.

Main Points

• Geographical and Political Significance:
  The NER is India's easternmost region, bordering China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It is connected to the mainland via the narrow Siliguri corridor, known as the "chicken's neck", making it a critical point for cross-border connectivity.
  The region has a unique socio-ethnic composition, with over 220 languages spoken and a complex cultural and economic landscape, distinct from the rest of India.

• Historical Context:
  Historically, the NER has been a cultural and economic bridge between India and Southeast Asia. Trade and cultural exchanges date back to the 3rd century CE, and the region played a role in the Bandung Conference (1955), where Southeast Asian nations supported India's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
  However, due to Cold War dynamics, India's engagement with Southeast Asia declined from the 1960s, leading to a period of isolation for the NER.

• Current Regional Engagement:
  India has reinvigorated its engagement with Southeast Asia through policies like "Look East" (1990s) and "Act East" (2014). These policies aim to enhance connectivity in three key areas: commerce, culture, and infrastructure.
  The NER is central to India's vision of regional integration, especially through initiatives like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Project.

• Infrastructure Development:
  The NER requires improved physical and people-to-people connectivity. The North Eastern Council (NEC) is the key agency driving infrastructure development, including road, rail, and air projects.
  Several projects have been completed or are in progress, such as the Bogibeel Bridge, express highways, and airport improvements. The NEC has also prioritized the development of the SARDP-NE, which includes 10,500 km of inter-state roads.

• Waterway Connectivity:
  The India-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, signed in 1972, has been expanded to include more routes and ports of call. The Barak-Meghna river system is a vital link for connecting the NER with Kolkata and the Bay of Bengal.
  The development of riverine ports like Chattogram and Mongla in Bangladesh is crucial for enhancing trade and connectivity between India and the Bay of Bengal region.
  The Ashuganj port in Bangladesh is being considered as an alternative to Myanmar's Sittwe port to revitalize trade routes to the NER.

• Indo-Pacific Vision:
  The Indo-Pacific is viewed as a strategic and economic region, with the Bay of Bengal at its core. India aims to promote a rules-based order, ensuring freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and adherence to international laws.
  India, along with Japan and ASEAN countries, supports the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). BIMSTEC is seen as a key platform for strengthening regional cooperation and connectivity.

• Role of Japan:
  Japan has played a pivotal role in supporting India's connectivity initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, particularly through the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI). Its experience in infrastructure development is crucial for the success of such projects.

• Challenges:
  The NER faces several challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of inter-state cooperation, limited data sharing, and security concerns in border areas.
  The region's underdevelopment and marginalization have contributed to political instability and ethnic conflicts. These issues need to be addressed to unlock the full potential of the NER as a regional hub.

Key Initiatives and Projects

• Kaladan Multimodal Project: A key initiative for connectivity between India and Myanmar, though delayed.
• India-Myanmar Rail Links: Aim to improve transport and trade between the two countries.
• Trilateral Highway: A joint project between India, Thailand, and Myanmar to enhance regional connectivity.
• BIMSTEC: A multilateral forum that can strengthen regional ties and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement: Facilitates maritime trade and connectivity.
• National Waterway 16 (NW-16): Focuses on the Barak-Meghna river system to improve inland water transport.

Conclusion

The NER is a critical region for India's regional connectivity and cooperation efforts. While significant progress has been made in infrastructure development, challenges remain in terms of funding, inter-state coordination, and security. A holistic approach, involving collaboration with ASEAN and Japan, is essential for realizing the region's full potential in the Indo-Pacific context. The report underscores the need for greater investment, planning, and engagement to ensure that the NER becomes a thriving hub of regional interaction and growth.