A significant takeaway from the Think Tank Forum is the need to strongly advocate the benefits of cross border energy trade (CBET). This can be achieved through continued alignment with CBET involving creative engagement strategies on part of think tanks and advocacy groups. The role of media will need to be better channelized for greater engagement of all the stakeholders. Sustained engagement with various stakeholders is essential to keep the momentum going for enhanced CBET that will be beneficial to all. Engagement with the think tanks proved to be beneficial in generating awareness, creating narratives, bridging communication gaps and sustaining the discourse on CBET, thereby mobilizing public opinion. In the phase- II, Think Tank Forum will be an important mechanism in promoting regional energy cooperation in South Asia, by bringing together disparate stakeholders on a common platform to create understanding and appreciation on the broader objectives and benefits of CBET. The partner think tanks will advocate the positive impact and benefits of CBET on the respective countries, working on themes related to the following:

• Energizing South Asia under the Climate Change and Sustainable Development agenda
• CBET linkages to electricity access for livelihoods and gender mainstreaming
• Quantifying benefits catalyzed through enhanced electricity access in the neighboring regions

Think Tank Partners

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (Bangladesh) Institute of Happiness (Bhutan) NTPC School of Business (India) Nepal Energy Foundation (Nepal) Slycan Trust (Sri Lanka)

Media Fellowship

SARI/EI media fellowship aims to strengthen public awareness and engagement on the issues of Cross-Border Energy Trade (CBET), energy security in the South Asia region, renewable energy, clean energy access, and its impact on gender equity and climate change. SARI/EI Media Fellowship has the following themes:

• Cross border Energy Trade – Impact and benefits of CBET on the respective countries/ linking CBET to energy security/ cross-linkages between growth of Energy Markets and Sustainable Development
• Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy
• Clean Energy Access, Gender and Climate Change

SARI/EI Media Fellows (Phase – II)

Name of Journalist	Media House	Country
Eyamin Sajid	The Business Standard (Bangladesh)	Bangladesh
Khawaza Main Uddin	Financial Express (Bangladesh)	Bangladesh
Syed Samiual Basher Anik	Dhaka Tribune	Bangladesh
Nidup Gyeltshen	Independent Journalist	Bhutan
Tshering Dorji	Kuensel Corporation	Bhutan
Abhijeet Chauhan	Independent Journalist	India
Geeta Dash	Independent Journalist	India
Saibal Dasgupta	The Times of India	India
Laxman Biyogi	Urja Khabar	Nepal
Prithvi Man Shrestha	The Kathmandu Post	Nepal
Krishna Adhikari	National News Agency	Nepal
Pathum Wickramarathne	Colombo Express	Sri Lanka
Rifthi Ali	Vidiyal	Sri Lanka
Sulochana Ramiah Mohan	Ceylon Today	Sri Lanka