As the world battles rising climate and geopolitical uncertainties, India’s Northeast region is eyed as a key contributor to sustainable development and regional connectivity in Eastern South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. “The Northeast is shaped by water. It’s a biodiversity hotspot and can be India’s water surplus zone. We believe it can power green growth for the whole country,” said Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of the think tank Asian Confluence, who shared how the region’s water wealth, biodiversity, and geo-strategic location are positioning it as a hub for green growth, trade, and diplomacy.
In an exclusive conversation with Business North East (BNE), while focussing on India's Act East Policy, Dutta said that the Asian Confluence is proactively bridging the gap between policy, research and business by taking part in grassroots initiatives. These include stakeholder interactions, research partnerships and top-level discussions — like the recent India-Japan Intellectual Conclave at Guwahati, which hosted more than 40 Japanese business leaders.
“That conclave wasn’t just symbolic. Some real progress has been made. We want to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and governments to create long-term impact,” said the Executive Director.
In a shift from traditional development models, Dutta stressed the need to place water at the heart of state-level policy planning — from trade and agriculture to connectivity and tourism.
“You cannot talk about development in the Northeast without talking about water. Whether it’s ecotourism or agribus iness, water connects everything. We work closely with state governments to ensure these conversations happen at the right levels,” said Dutta.
Asian Confluence is currently working on a major water initiative and will soon be launching a regional program in Agartala focused on connectivity and economic growth. Dutta unveiled that this forthcoming event will convene public and private stakeholders from around the Northeast as well as nearby countries.
Dutta also accentuated the role of the think tank in fostering regional connectivity — a pillar of India's foreign policy initiatives, such as Act East, Neighborhood First, and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
He further stated that connectivity is not just about roads or bridges but about people, security, stability, and opportunity. "We promote dialogues that help people and businesses see the value of being connected across borders,” he told BNE.
Through its work, Asian Confluence is helping local industries — including hydropower, agriculture, and tourism — align with sustainable and eco-friendly practices while encouraging private businesses to lead from the front.
“We don’t drive the bus — businesses do. Our role is to help connect the stakeholders and offer them our knowledge and experience,” noted Dutta, who further said they are very selective about their funding sources. However, they work with like-minded partners, including the EU, Japan, and other global agencies aligned with India’s vision.
Further, Dutta emphasised that real growth in the Northeast will come from combining top-down policies with bottom-up execution in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as India’s Ashtalakshmi — the eightfold path to prosperity.
“If we want to make this region the Ashtalakshmi of India, we need both vision and grassroots effort. That’s what we’re working toward,” stated the official.
With a focus on actionable outcomes, strategic diplomacy, and regional empowerment, Asian Confluence is steadily reshaping how India’s Northeast is perceived — not as a peripheral frontier but as a vibrant epicentre for eco-growth, regional trade and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
