18th January: Sikkim representatives at the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue – Kolkata Chapter, held at the American Center, Kolkata, on 16th January, highlighted that climate change must be treated as the primary concern while planning any developmental work in fragile regions such as Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayas.
Speaking during the round-table discussions, the Sikkim delegation underlined that repeated landslides, flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods have exposed the vulnerability of infrastructure in the state. They stressed that development without climate-sensitive planning not only leads to repeated damage but also increases long-term economic and environmental costs.
The representatives also drew attention to Sikkim’s strategic and political sensitivity within the broader Indo-Pacific region. As a border state sharing international boundaries with China, Nepal, and Bhutan, Sikkim holds significant geopolitical importance. Participants noted that political developments in neighbouring countries have directly impacted the state, particularly the tourism sector, which remains one of Sikkim’s key economic pillars. They emphasised that Indo-Pacific-linked development strategies must factor in such ground-level realities faced by border states.
The dialogue was jointly organised by the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and brought together around 30 invited journalists, business leaders, and policy stakeholders from Sikkim and other Northeastern states. The Kolkata Chapter served as a national-level pre-dissemination consultation ahead of a larger policy dialogue scheduled to be held in New Delhi in March.
Participants from across the Northeastern region broadly agreed that the Northeast does not lack potential in tourism, industry, or trade, but continues to face challenges due to inadequate connectivity, poor road infrastructure, and limited promotion. Representatives from several states stressed that slow implementation of infrastructure projects remains a major hurdle to economic growth and investor interest.
The discussions focused on advancing U.S.–India cooperation under the Indo-Pacific framework, with emphasis on connectivity, trade, supply-chain resilience, and regional development. Improving road, rail, air, inland waterway, and digital connectivity was repeatedly highlighted as essential for integrating Eastern and Northeastern India into national and global markets.
Representing Sikkim at the programme were Prakash Adhikari, Sikkim In-charge of Northeast Live; Nar Bahadur Chettri (N.B. Ghimirey), Editor of Sikkim-based digital platform Sikkim JanKhabar; Rajeev Mishra, General Secretary of the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce; Malina Lepcha, a tourism stakeholder from Sikkim; and Binod Tamang, cameraperson with NE Live.
The sessions were moderated by senior Observer Research Foundation experts Nilanjan Ghosh and Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury along with their teams. The inaugural session also featured virtual presentations by U.S. State Department officials, who outlined America’s strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific and stressed the importance of resilient infrastructure and regional economic integration.
The dialogue concluded with a consensus that sustainable development in the Northeast, specially in environmentally fragile and strategically sensitive states like Sikkim must prioritise climate resilience alongside economic and strategic considerations.
