GUWAHATI: The Brahmaputra–Chao Phraya Dialogue, organized by Asian Confluence, convened in Guwahati on September 22 to explore new pathways for India–Thailand collaboration, with a focus on Northeast India’s health, education, youth, and enterprise sectors.
The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and institutional representatives from both countries.
The dialogue, held in collaboration with the Thai and Indian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Assam Royal Global University, and the Meghalaya Institute of Governance, emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional, academic, and people-to-people linkages between Northeast India and Thailand.
Key sessions highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, AI innovation, digital technology, skills training, food production, creative economies, and academic exchanges.
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High-level speakers—including Amb. Riva Ganguly Das, Dr. R.K. Ranjan Singh, Shri Prashant Agrawal, and H.E. Urasa Mongkolnavin—underscored the need for deeper strategic partnerships, moving beyond MoUs to tangible on-ground impact and greater youth engagement.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from leading Indian and Thai institutions explored ways to strengthen educational, entrepreneurial, and public health cooperation.
Panelists called for increased tourism, defence, and business collaboration, and stressed the role of Northeast India as a strategic bridge to Southeast Asia.
The event builds on Asian Confluence’s ongoing efforts—since 2018—to deepen India–Thailand ties, aiming to foster meaningful partnerships in academia, connectivity, trade, tourism, culture, and innovation, and to establish a sustained Track 2 dialogue platform for the region.
(4FrontMedia news)