Unleashing Connectivity for Inclusive Growth – Leveraging Himalayan Consensus to Further India’s Act East Policy was underlined at a policy forum here on Tuesday ahead of Indo-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.
The Forum was organised by CUTS International, Himalayan Consensus Institute, Institute of Chinese Studies, and The Asia Foundation. The discussion at the Forum introduced the idea behind Himalayan Consensus process to the larger audience in Delhi and developed an initial framework on how this platform can be used to usher connectivity and people to people contact. Speakers reflected on the
work of their institutions and shaped up the discourse especially in context of how this can shape the larger Act East discourse for India.
Panelists comprised Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS International; Laurence Brahm, Chair, Himalayan Consensus Institute; Mallika Shakya, Assistant Professor, South Asian University; Sagar Prasai, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation; and Sreemati Chakrabarti, Vice-Chairperson and Honorary Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi.
Bipul Chatterjee explained the concept of connectivity by looking through the tangible pillars of land-based transportation (road and railways) connectivity, waterways connectivity and energy connectivity. He stressed the importance of promoting infrastructural investments for increased connectivity in the BBIN region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) sub-region and the greater Bay of Bengal Region including Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. He also emphasized on integrating private sector participation in the connectivity development discourse.
Laurence Brahm explained how social entrepreneurs working in the Himalayas came together to form Himalayan Consensus while trying to protect their local culture and environment through local business models. It was these concepts that came together as Himalayan Consensus which promotes multilateral approach to development. HC believes He stressed on the importance of realising economic and people to people connectivity by mobilizing shared resources and harnessing technological opportunities that are smart, green and blue.
Mallika Shakya underscored the importance of conceptualizing the idea of the Himalayas, borders, regions – what really constitutes this huge geographical construct? To understand the present realities, she emphasized the importance of exploring the historical trajectory of human connectivity including movements of businessmen, traders, relatives, workers and so on across the region.
Sagar Prasai emphasised that connectivity is integral for development but geopolitics of the South Asian region inhibits regional cooperation in a constructive manner. In terms of waterways connectivity, the speaker said the new water management technologies are not in reflected in geopolitical agenda and institution dealing with the prevailing educational system. The speaker also argued that for any sort of connectivity China should be taken into consideration being another biggest economic and human resource provider in the region.
Sreemati Chakrabarti stressed the need to build a common platform of think-tanks for working towards the connectivity discourses by working harder on the enhancement of regional connection, connecting research and business, and encouraging youth and women participation for the same.
Sujeev Shakya moderator of the panel summarized on the need of using the platform of Himalayan Consensus to further the connectivity discourse across many areas. He emphasized on engaging youth in the discourse and informed on the Youth Forum at the Summit in 2018 that will be held jointly with Himalayan University Consortium of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
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