The Inaugural Session was held on October 30, 2025, on the Asian Confluence Centre, Shillong. The Centre has been established with the purpose of fostering analysis, dialogue, and collaboration on the shared way forward for the Bay of Bengal area.
Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary Normal of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Financial Cooperation (BIMSTEC), delivered the Keynote Tackle. He hailed the launch of the centre as a visionary step in advancing regional cooperation amid world challenges, highlighting shared developmental and safety pursuits.
C.S.R. Ram, Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC and SAARC), Ministry of Exterior Affairs, delivered the Particular Remarks expressing the federal government's deal with regional cooperation by way of insurance policies akin to Neighbourhood First, Act East, and the MAHASAGAR.
The Welcome and Particular Remarks got by M.P. Bezbaruah, a former member of the North Jap Council (NEC) and chairman of the Governing Council of Asian Confluence, and Dr R.Ok. Ranjan Singh, a former Minister of State for Exterior Affairs and Schooling, respectively, emphasising the Bay as a freeway of alternate connecting India with South East Asia.
Prithvish Nag, Former Surveyor Normal of India and Advisor, Asian Confluence, gave a particular presentation, emphasising the Bay of Bengal's historic function in commerce and cultural alternate.The distinguished dignitaries launched the Inaugural Memento of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Research, a compendium of articles exploring the assorted dimensions of the Bay of Bengal.The inaugural programme was adopted by a high-level panel dialogue on the subject: “Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal: Envisioning a Resilient and Affluent Future – Alternatives and Challenges.” The panellists supplied wealthy and numerous views on strengthening cooperation throughout the Bay of Bengal area. The dialogue underscored the significance of fostering sensible, commercially viable, and mutually useful partnerships to drive financial and social progress.
The panellists had been: Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Instances, C.S.R Ram, Abe Noraike, Minister, Embassy of Japan, India; Preeti Rahman, Deputy Excessive Commissioner, Excessive Fee of Bangladesh, India, Ambika Prasad Joshi, Councilor Minister, Nepal Embassy, India and Tshewang Dorji, Director Bhutan, BIMSTEC.
BIMSTEC has been inspired by India as sub-regional organisation linking South Asia with SE Asia
Bridging South and Southeast Asia, the Bay of Bengal lies on the coronary heart of India's “Neighbourhood First” coverage and the BIMSTEC framework—providing huge alternatives for growth, connectivity, and sustainable progress. The launch of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Research marks a continuation of Asian Confluence's mission to advance research-driven dialogue and regional cooperation throughout the Bay of Bengal.
By means of each on-line and in-person engagements with policymakers, companies, universities, analysis establishments, and suppose tanks, the Centre seeks to boost regional understanding, promote belief, and catalyse collective motion on the manifold points shaping the Bay of Bengal.
