International Conference on Sub-Regionalism Approach to Regional Integration in South Asia: Prospects and Opportunities
Organized by Sikkim University in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, New Delhi
The three-day International Conference organized by Sikkim University and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, New Delhi, began on 19 December 2008 and is now on its second day. The four sessions, held on 20 December 2008 at Hotel Royal Plaza, focused on Sub-regionalism: Trade and Investment, Energy, Tourism, and Natural Resources and Environment.
The first session, Sub-regionalism—Trade and Investment, was chaired by Mr. Kishalaya Bhattacharya, Bureau Chief, New Delhi Television, Guwahati. In his address, the chair suggested that the section ought to be called ‘Opportunities and Crisis’ in view of the existing scenario in Northeast India and the neighbourhood.
In this session, Prof. Jayanta K. Gogoi, head of the Department of Economics at Dibrugarh University, spoke on the “Analysis of Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation among Bangladesh, China, India, and Myanmar (BCIM).” In his presentation, Prof. Gogoi, using data from the past decades, explored the possible impact of sub-regionalism on the social economy of North East India. Using data from the past decade, Prof. Gogoi examined the composition of trade, the type of trade, the opportunities that regional or sub-regional integration like the Look East Policy offers to North East India, and the strategies to harness the potential. In his conclusion, Prof. Gogoi cautioned that the social costs of such a regional integration should be considered.
The second presenter was Mr. Nitya Nanda, Fellow, Resources and Global Security Division, TERI, New Delhi. Mr. Nanda's focus on "Sub-Regionalism, Trade and Investment Potential", citing the examples of Mexico-USA and Nordic countries, spoke about the cooperative potential in which such sub-regionalism could result. He listed out the advantages of sub-regionalism and the possible mechanisms by drawing to the need for a spill-over effect of development to other areas of the region. Energy, environment, agro-based industries, and engineering goods are areas where spillover could occur.
The second session, Sub-regionalism and Energy, was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University, Prof. Mahendra P. Lama. The chair suggested that energy was one of the key components that could ride this agenda of sub-regionalism that we are discussing. Prof. Lama pointed out the political hesitation that exists at both local and national levels. But he cautioned against letting it determine the agenda of sub-regionalism as this region is rich with hydro-electric potential and gas reserves, and an energy grid can help us pool the potential and market to get over deficiencies and the need for energy resources for continuing with a galloping economy and growth.
There were three speakers in this session, beginning with Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Vice President, Power Trading Cooperation of India, New Delhi, who presented “Sub-Regionalism Approach to Regional Integration- Energy". Mr. Kumar drew a close correlation between energy and the economy and pointed to the grim current energy scenario in the region. He suggested that there was vast hydroelectric potential in the Northeast region. He also suggested the need to develop power projects with storage capacity.
The second presenter was Mr. DN Raina, Director, Entecsol International, New Delhi. Mr. Raina, after an introduction about Entecsol and its functions, spoke on the essential characteristics of the South Asian Energy ring and the relevance of sub-regional energy cooperation in forming the South Asian energy ring. According to him, such an energy ring will lead to a continuous balance of energy flowing from different sources while simultaneously enabling competitive pricing, constant supply, and creating a sense of customer energy security. The three areas Mr. Raina marked out for cooperation were electricity, gas, and technology transfer/cooperation.
Mr. Gem Tshering, General Manager, Transmission Department, Bhutan Power Cooperation, Thimpu, Bhutan, spoke on Bhutan's experience harnessing hydroelectric power as a major component of its foreign exchange. While highlighting the benefit of the current Indo-Bhutan Treaty in energy cooperation, Mr Tshering proposed pooling resources in the area of energy cooperation in the subregion, especially with regard to Sikkim and Bhutan.
The third session of the day concentrated on subregionalism and tourism and was presided over by Mr Pema Wangchuk, Editor, Now, Gangtok.
Mr. Phuntsho Gyaltshen, Planning Officer, Tourism Council of Bhutan Secretariat, Government of Bhutan, was the first to speak. In his presentation, "Sub-regionalism and Tourism,” shared with the gathering the experience of Bhutan as an emerging tourist destination. He also noted the need to promote circuit tourism between countries in the region while considering culture, tradition, and environment, which he called ‘responsible tourism'. While appreciating the various regional fora like BIMSTEC and SAARC in promoting culture and tourism, Mr Gyaltshen called for capacity building between countries in the region.
The second presenter was Dr Nimmi Kurian, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi and her focus was on the discourse of regionalism and tourism in the border areas. In her paper, Dr Kurain argued that tourism in the border communities is marginalized over time and space. To her understanding, the problem of sub-regionalism emanates from the issue of looking at tourism only from a Delhi-centric view. The discourse on the development of tourism or other policies towards the region should start from within the regional level itself, where North East India by itself would be the primary actor. Only in this context did she believe that local communities could be given a major role in cross-border sustainable development and sustainable resources.
The third speaker in the session was Prof Li Tao, Executive Dean, Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, China and she spoke on the importance of ‘culture’ as a connecting bridge between nations in the region. In this regard, Prof. Tao highlighted the similarities of the Indic and Sinic civilizations and cultures, both in terms of their antiquity and in terms of their influence on the rest of Asia. Prof. Tao stressed the need to revive the age-old cultural link between China and India and called it indispensable to mutual interests for constructing a common Asian world. She added the importance of the five principles for peaceful co-existence and an equal and mutual respect for culture.
Mr KPV Nair, Director, Asia Centre, Kolkota, chose to speak on ‘Asian Union’. Mr. Nair gave tourism the central role in providing the crucial link to unify the entire Asian continent and promote harmony. Intangible Heritage Tourism was the way to sub-regional integration, and Nair mentioned that many conferences touched on promoting tourism. His suggestion was of the need to improve infrastructure in the region to boost regional potential. Tourism can also be promoted through art and exhibitions and a cross-cultural/national movement of artists and art. Nair used the conference platform to call for a strong effort towards achieving this end of sub-regionalism by concentrating on tourism development.
Dr Jyoti Prakash Tamang, Reader, Sikkim Government College, Gangtok, was the last speaker of the session. In his paper on “Food and Tourism”, Dr Tamang pointed out the importance of food as a component of tourism culture. Citing the example of Europe and specifically France, apart from other Asian countries, he said that North East India possesses an immense opportunity to develop similar tourism centered around food culture. Dr. Tamang presented some conclusions of the research that he has worked on developing food culture in the North East and elsewhere in the world. In his opinion, North Eastern India, with its unique food culture and, due to its similarity to the wider East Asian world, can become a destination for both domestic and international tourist traffic. Towards this idea, during the discussion, the participants agreed that food tourism is one segment in which both the government and travel and tour operators need to actively promote.
In an interjection during the discussion, Prof. Lama brought to attention the pivotal role that educational institutions have played in Darjeeling to develop and promote tourism and attract tourists through the students, faculty, and their respective linkages worldwide. Using the example of Nalanda University, he cited how education can used to promote integrated development around trade, tourism, and culture and the role of private players in achieving the desired end.
The last session of the day was chaired by Dr. Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign, New Delhi, and featured four presentations on the theme of “Subregionalism, natural resources, and environment.”
The presentation of the session by Dr. Nakul Chettri, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal, focused on the regional initiatives in NRM (natural resources Management) and also delved into ICIMOD's experience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, which is an ecological buffer zone and also a highly prioritized area for conservation. Discussing the region, he highlighted the rich biodiversity in the region, such as eco-system, agro-biodiversity, cultural diversity, etc. He also emphasized the water resources, for it provides the lifeline to the region. Regarding the challenges faced, he pointed out four major challenges-physical, climate, demographic, and economic change in terms of the meeting to share some of the experiences of ICIMOD and its many global initiatives.
Prof. Chandan Mahanta, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, made the second presentation on subregionalism and water resources. In his presentation, he emphasized water as an embedded resource and the collective management of this resource. He identified the many issues of water resources like hydropower, agriculture, fisheries, industrial, etc. He emphasized the benefits of hydropower.
Providing an alternative water management perspective, he highlighted the importance of regional and local participation through a subregional approach, which could link many institutions and basin organizations. Concerned about the impact of climate change on many rivers, he posed some important questions about how vulnerable the water system is and how we can prepare ourselves for such a challenge.
The third presentation by Ms. Usha Lachungpa, Conservator of Forests, Government of Sikkim, on sub regionalism-natural resources and conservation focused on the state of Sikkim and admitted regionalism as a phenomenon is happening. Highlighting Sikkim's rich natural resources and biodiversity, she emphasized the importance of preserving these values and ethics through political commitment.
The last presentation of the session by Dr. HK Badoli, GB Pant Institute, of Himalayan Environment and Development, Gangtok, focused on the environment and natural resources and co-operation in the subregion, highlighting the Himalayan sub-region and its natural wealth. He also lists some of the major threats to natural resources, like population growth, habitat fragmentation, and, most importantly, the challenges of global warming and its impact on plants and animals. He averred that even the creation of protected areas can now ensure the long-term viability of natural resources in the sub-region under the reality of global warming.
He discussed some of the medicinal plants like rhododendrons and the need to adopt ethnobiological practices with effective utilization and application of Indigenous and community alone. The session concluded with intervention from three discussants, a quest followed by a series of questions from the audience and answers by the presenters
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