The U.S. Consulate and ORF hosted a Northeast-focused Indo-Pacific dialogue in Kolkata, highlighting connectivity, Quad cooperation, and maritime security.
Kolkata: As the Indo-Pacific emerges as a key arena of global cooperation and competition, India’s Northeast is increasingly being seen as a strategic bridge to regional and global markets.
Reflecting this growing importance, the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), hosted the “U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue – Kolkata Chapter” at the American Center Kolkata on Thursday.
The dialogue underlined the deepening U.S.–India partnership aimed at advancing the Quad vision of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Around 30 participants from various Northeastern states took part in the discussion, which served as a national-level pre-dissemination dialogue ahead of a larger policy engagement scheduled to be held in New Delhi in March.
Discussions focused on how improved connectivity—through ports, railways, inland waterways, roads, and digital corridors—can better integrate Eastern and Northeastern India into global trade networks. Speakers highlighted that stronger connectivity would not only boost economic growth in the region but also help reduce dependence on fragile or adversarial supply chains.
Addressing the gathering, U.S. Consul General Kathy Giles-Diaz said Kolkata was a natural venue for the dialogue, given its historic role as India’s gateway to the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
She noted that as India deepens its Indo-Pacific engagement, the eastern and northeastern regions are once again becoming central to global trade, supply chains, and economic growth.
Giles-Diaz reiterated the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, stressing that such a regional order ensures free trade, respect for sovereignty, safe movement of goods and data, and shared prosperity. She described the Quad—comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—as a practical partnership delivering real outcomes in areas such as disaster response, infrastructure development, clean energy, supply-chain resilience, and critical technologies.
Highlighting the strength of the U.S.–India relationship, she said the partnership is anchored at the highest political levels, creating momentum for cooperation in trade, technology, and security.
She emphasized that improved infrastructure in Eastern and Northeastern India would not only move goods but also integrate the region into global markets, creating jobs, investment, and long-term economic resilience.
The Consul General also underscored the strategic importance of maritime security, drawing attention to the role of ports such as Kolkata and Haldia in regional trade and stability.
She noted that safe sea lanes are essential for reliable energy supplies, stable exports, and uninterrupted commerce, and said the U.S., through the Quad and other partnerships, remains committed to maritime domain awareness, port security, disaster response, and tackling illegal activities at sea.
Giles-Diaz further said the insights generated through the Northeast-focused dialogues would directly inform national-level policy discussions in New Delhi, ensuring that U.S.–India cooperation remains grounded in the economic realities of the region.
The sessions were moderated by Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President – Development Studies and Project Director at ORF, along with Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, Neighborhood Studies Initiative, ORF, who served as Project In-Charge, along with their respective teams.
The inaugural session also featured virtual presentations by U.S. State Department officials Abigail Bard, Quad Team Coordinator, and Jeffrey Wang, Quad Team Lead and Political Officer.
Their presentations provided deeper insights into America’s strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the critical role of maritime security in ensuring regional economic stability.
