Asian Confluence

19/08/2026

🇮🇳🇹🇭 As India and Thailand deepen their Strategic Partnership, the geography of their relationship is expanding beyond the traditional land corridor through the Northeast and Myanmar to encompass the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.

In the latest ASCON commentary, explore how maritime connectivity, strategic redundancy, regional institutions, and emerging economic networks are reshaping India–Thailand connectivity

✍️ By Sangmuan Hangsing, Public Policy Researcher

Read: https://asianconfluence.org/publication-details-full/beyond-the-land-bridge-india-thailand-and-the-changing-geography-of-the-bay-of-bengal

18/08/2026

Mr. Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director, Asian Confluence, participated in the BRICS Civil Forum 2026, organised by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) as part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, held on 17–18 August 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The two-day forum centred on the theme “Localising Development for Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability,” bringing together experts and institutions from across BRICS countries to deliberate on strengthening cultural exchange, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Asian Confluence, as a member of the BRICS Civil Forum Culture Working Group 2026, remains committed to fostering meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange and collaboration among civil society stakeholders across the BRICS countries, while contributing to a more inclusive and connected Global South.

10/08/2026

🇮🇳🇻🇳 As India and Vietnam mark a decade of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the relationship is evolving beyond geopolitics into a deeper partnership driven by economic complementarity, digital cooperation, defence collaboration, and shared Indo-Pacific ambitions.

In the latest ASCON Commentary, explore how the new Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (ECSP) is shaping resilient supply chains, technology partnerships, maritime cooperation, and a long-term developmental vision for the India–Vietnam relationship.

✍️ By Prof. (Dr.) Sunetra Ghatak, Associate Professor, O. P. Jindal Global University & Visiting Fellow, Asian Confluence.

Read: https://www.asianconfluence.org/publication-details-full/india-vietnam-relations-evolving-strategic-partnership

04/08/2026

🌎Tourism is far more than sightseeing. It creates jobs where industries can't reach, empowers women and youth, preserves local culture, and drives economic growth from the grassroots.

Watch this insightful perspective by Mr. M.P. Bezbaruah, Chairman- Governing Council, Asian Confluence on why tourism is one of the strongest engines of inclusive growth.

▶️ Watch the full episode: youtu.be/nHH1mgBzJ9E?si…

03/08/2026

🇮🇳🇯🇵As India and Japan deepen their strategic partnership, Northeast India is emerging as a vital bridge linking the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, and the Bay of Bengal region.

In the latest ASCON Commentary, explore how the evolving India–Japan relationship is strengthening economic security, energy resilience, technology cooperation, and infrastructure development, while transforming Northeast India into a key gateway for regional connectivity and growth.

✍️ By Mithilesh Kumar Singh, PhD in Japanese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.

Read: https://asianconfluence.org/publication-details-full/evolving-india-japan-relations-and-northeast-india

25/07/2026

🇮🇳🇯🇵As Japanese investors deepen their engagement with India’s startup ecosystem, fresh capital is reinforcing the country's position as a global innovation hub.

In the latest ASCON Commentary, explore how Japan’s growing investments in Indian startups are strengthening the India–Japan economic partnership, driving fintech innovation, and creating new opportunities for long-term growth.

✍️ By Dr Varuna Shankar, Head, Government Relations and Business Development, India’s World Magazine, New Delhi.

Read: https://www.asianconfluence.org/publication-details-full/india-s-startup-boom-attracts-japanese-capital

24/07/2026

"The greatest challenge isn’t that rivers cross borders, it’s whether our politics can cross them too": Dr Anamika Barua, Professor, IIT Guwahati.

▶️Watch the full webinar: https://youtube.com/live/9vmMuZsUxP8?feature=share

24/07/2026

We have done the modelling. But have we listened to the people living the reality?

In our ASCON Webinar, Dr. Serina Rahman explores why meaningful climate action requires bridging the gap between scientific research and lived experience.

▶️Watch the complete webinar: https://youtube.com/live/9vmMuZsUxP8?feature=share



NUS Southeast Asian Studies

24/07/2026

22/07/2026

Mr. Madan Prasad Bezbaruah, Chairman, Governing Council; Mr. Rajat Nag, Member, Governing Council; and Mr. Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence, called on Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog.

The delegation shared Asian Confluence's ongoing initiatives to foster regional cooperation, policy dialogue, and cross-border partnerships across Northeast India, the Bay of Bengal region, and India's eastern neighbourhood and discussed possible engagements with NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri