NEW DELHI : India, Japan and Bangladesh trilateral could transform Bay of Bengal region through multiple connectivity corridors and industrial value chains.

This was theme of Asian Confluence, (premier Think Tank based in Shillong) organised colloquium in New Delhi in partnership with the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, titled “Towards a Connected and Prosperous Bay of Region: Perspective on the Northeast India and Bangladesh Connectivity” on Friday.

In his remarks, Hiroshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to India, emphasized the need for development of industrial value chains in the region and said that the upcoming Matarbari deep seaport in Bangladesh could be a real game changer in the Bay of Bengal region.

Highlighting the importance of the Bay of Bengal and the strategic role of Bangladesh, Md. Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, said, along with road, rail, and water connectivity, there is a need to focus on air connectivity and people-to-people connectivity.

Smita Pant, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh, Myanmar), Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the great strides made by India and Bangladesh in improving trade, that Bangladesh can now use Kolkata and New Delhi airports for third country exports and the need to focus on railway, Inland Waterway Transport and other forms of connectivity projects between India and Bangladesh.

On this special occasion, a comprehensive report entitled “Assessing Connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh: Towards a Prosperous Bay of Bengal Region” was released.

The report is based on a thorough study conducted by Asian Confluence on connectivity between Northeast India and Bangladesh and is based on primary inputs based on field visits, surveys and stakeholder consultations.