The inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was held on September 26-27, 2023, in Kolkata, India. It was a two-day event that brought together leading experts from Australia and India to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was held on September 26-27, 2023, in Kolkata, India. It was a two-day event that brought together leading experts from Australia and India to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The event was organized by the Australia-India Institute and the Observer Research Foundation. It was the first of its kind to be held in Kolkata, which is a major port city and the gateway to the north-eastern Indian Ocean.

The dialogue covered a wide range of topics, including:

* The security risks facing small island states in the Indo-Pacific region

* The economic coercion that these states are often subjected to

* The impact of climate change on small island states

* Strategies for building resilience in small island states

The dialogue was attended by a number of high-profile speakers, including:

* The Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia

* The Hon. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India

* Dr. Rana Dasgupta, Author and Director of the India Institute at King's College London

* Professor Amitabh Kundu, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University

* Dr. Dhruva Jaishankar, Director of the Observer Research Foundation

The dialogue was a success, and it generated a number of valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing small island states in the Indo-Pacific region. The participants agreed on the need to work together to support these states and to build their resilience.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the inaugural Kolkata Dialogue:

* Small island states in the Indo-Pacific region are facing a number of security risks, including from climate change, transnational crime, and geopolitical tensions.

* These states are also often subjected to economic coercion from larger powers.

* Climate change is having a devastating impact on small island states, threatening their livelihoods and security.

* It is essential to build resilience in small island states to help them cope with these challenges.

* Australia and India can play a leading role in supporting small island states in the Indo-Pacific region.

The inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was a valuable event that helped to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing small island states in the Indo-Pacific region. It is hoped that the dialogue will lead to concrete actions to support these states and to build their resilience.

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue is a new event hosted by the Australia-India Institute (AII) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Kolkata, India. The event will bring together leading experts from Australia and India to discuss and find solutions to the challenges facing small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The dialogue will focus on three key areas:

* **Security risks:** Small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are facing a growing range of security risks, including climate change, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. The dialogue will discuss how these risks can be managed and mitigated.

* **Economic coercion:** Small island states are also vulnerable to economic coercion from larger powers. The dialogue will discuss how these states can build economic resilience and reduce their dependence on external assistance.

* **Climate change:** Climate change is a major threat to small island states, which are often on the frontlines of its impacts. The dialogue will discuss how these states can adapt to climate change and reduce their vulnerability.

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue will be a valuable opportunity for Australian and Indian experts to share their knowledge and insights, and to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The event will be held in Kolkata on 28 September 2023. It is expected to be attended by a range of government officials, academics, and business leaders from Australia and India.

**Why is the Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue important?**

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue is important for a number of reasons. First, it brings together leading experts from Australia and India to discuss and find solutions to the challenges facing small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This is a timely and important event, as these states are facing a growing range of security risks, economic challenges, and climate change impacts.

Second, the dialogue is being held in Kolkata, which is a major port city and the gateway to the north-eastern Indian Ocean. This makes it an ideal location for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing small island states in this region.

Third, the dialogue is being hosted by the Australia-India Institute and the Observer Research Foundation, two leading think tanks from Australia and India. This ensures that the dialogue will be of a high quality and that its findings will be widely disseminated.

Overall, the Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue is an important event that will help to build resilience for small island states in the Indianand Pacific Oceans.

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was held on September 20, 2023, in Kolkata, India. It was hosted by the Australia-India Institute and the Observer Research Foundation, and brought together leading experts from Australia and India to discuss how the two countries can work together to support small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The dialogue was opened by the Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, and the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. Both speakers highlighted the importance of the Australia-India relationship and the need to work together to address the challenges facing small island states in the region.

The dialogue then featured a series of panel discussions on topics such as security risks, economic coercion, and climate change. The panelists included experts from academia, think tanks, and government.

One of the key takeaways from the dialogue was that small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are facing a number of challenges, including climate change, sea level rise, and economic insecurity. The panelists also discussed the fact that these challenges are exacerbated by the growing geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States.

The dialogue also highlighted the importance of the Australia-India relationship in supporting small island states in the region. The panelists agreed that the two countries can work together to help these states build resilience to the challenges they face.

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was a valuable opportunity for experts from Australia and India to come together and discuss how the two countries can work together to support small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The dialogue was also a significant step forward in building the relationship between the two countries.

Here are some of the key recommendations from the dialogue:

* Australia and India should work together to strengthen the security of small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This could include providing training and assistance to their security forces, and helping them to develop maritime surveillance capabilities.

* Australia and India should also work together to support the economic development of small island states in the region. This could involve providing financial assistance, investing in infrastructure projects, and promoting trade and investment.

* Australia and India should also work together to help small island states in the region adapt to climate change. This could involve providing funding for climate change adaptation projects, and sharing expertise on technologies and best practices.

The Inaugural Kolkata Dialogue was a success, and it is hoped that it will lead to further cooperation between Australia and India in supporting small island states in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.