观察家研究基金会-印度东北部在区域合作格局中的作用（英）-2021.6_22页_10mb

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

Core Content

This report discusses 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 emphasizes the need for India to take a more proactive role in regional engagement, particularly with its eastern and Southeast Asian neighbours, to enhance political, economic, and societal ties. The NER, with its unique socio-political and geographical dynamics, is identified as a key conduit for such connectivity.

Main Points

• Geographical and Strategic Significance:
  The NER is the easternmost border of India and shares a 5,812 km international border with China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It is connected to mainland India via the narrow Siliguri corridor, known as the 'chicken's neck'. Its strategic location makes it vital for India's regional connectivity and influence in the Indo-Pacific.

• Socio-Economic Challenges:
  The NER has a complex socio-ethnic composition, with over 220 languages spoken and distinct cultural and economic patterns. It has historically been marginalized and isolated due to its location, unique societal legacy, and lack of infrastructure. This has led to issues such as political violence, insurgency, and ethnic conflict, further complicating its integration into India's national development framework.

• Historical and Cultural Ties:
  India and Southeast Asia have long-standing economic and cultural connections, with Manipur and Assam serving as bridges. These ties have continued into the post-colonial era, with Southeast Asian nations supporting India's five principles of peaceful coexistence. However, the Cold War era led to a period of isolation, which was only reversed after the Cold War ended.

• India's Regional Policies:
  India's 'Look East' policy, initiated in the early 1990s, has evolved into the 'Act East' policy, which focuses on enhancing connectivity with the Indo-Pacific region. The 'Neighbourhood First' policy also underscores the importance of the NER in regional engagement. The NER is seen as a hub for regional interaction, not merely a transit point.

• Infrastructure Development:
  The report highlights the importance of improving physical and people-to-people connectivity in the NER. This includes road, rail, air, and waterway projects. The National Waterway 16 (River Barak) is a key waterway connecting the NER to Kolkata and is crucial for trade and transportation.

• India-Bangladesh Connectivity:
  Cross-border connectivity between India and Bangladesh has expanded significantly, including railway, waterway, and port access. The India-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, signed in 1972, has been expanded to include more routes and ports of call, enhancing trade and transportation efficiency.

• India-Myanmar Connectivity:
  The Kaladan Multimodal Project and the Trilateral Highway (India-Myanmar-Thailand) are key initiatives aimed at improving connectivity. However, delays in these projects have prompted the consideration of alternative routes, such as using the Ashuganj port in Bangladesh.

• Role of BIMSTEC and Japan:
  BIMSTEC is positioned as a key multilateral forum for regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal. Japan's support for maritime connectivity and infrastructure development is crucial, especially through its involvement in the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision.

• Need for Holistic Approach:
  Connectivity must be viewed as a holistic concept that improves people's lives, not just as a means to achieve immediate strategic or commercial benefits. It requires not only physical infrastructure but also cooperation among states, effective planning, and capacity building.

Key Initiatives

• Kaladan Multimodal Project: A key project to enhance connectivity between India and Myanmar.
• India-Myanmar Rail Links: Aimed at improving land transport between the two countries.
• Trilateral Highway Project: A joint initiative between India, Thailand, and Myanmar.
• India-Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement: Facilitates maritime trade and reduces transportation costs.
• National Waterway 16 (River Barak): A vital waterway for connecting the NER to Kolkata.
• Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Playing a key role in developing inland waterways connectivity.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI): A strategic initiative by India to promote maritime security, trade, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Challenges

• Inadequate Funding: Hinders the development of infrastructure in the NER.
• Lack of Cooperation Among States: Affects the efficiency of regional connectivity projects.
• Security Concerns: The presence of military in border areas due to insurgency and ethnic conflict.
• Limited Data Sharing: Impedes the coordination of regional initiatives.
• Delays in Projects: Affect the timely realization of connectivity goals.

Conclusion

The report concludes that India and its regional partners must work together to overcome the challenges in the NER and realize its potential as a key region for connectivity and cooperation. The NER is not just a transit point but a unique space with its own socio-economic and cultural priorities. Greater collaboration among BIMSTEC members and other stakeholders is essential to enhance regional connectivity and ensure stability and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific.