In News:

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit was recently held in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open.”The Indian Prime Minister participated in the Summit, emphasizing regional connectivity, economic integration, and collective resilience.

About BIMSTEC

• Full Form: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
• Founded: 1997 (Bangkok Declaration)
• Initial Name: BIST-EC (later BIMST-EC, and finally BIMSTEC in 2004)
• Population & Economy: Covers 1.7 billion people (~22% of world population) with a combined GDP of USD 5.2 trillion (2023)

Key Outcomes:

• Summit Declarations and Documents
  • Bangkok Vision 2030: Adopted as a roadmap for regional economic integration, technological collaboration, and resilience against global challenges.
  • 21-point Action Plan: Proposed by India to revitalize BIMSTEC as a dynamic platform for regional cooperation, especially in light of SAARC’s dormancy.
• Institutional and Governance Reforms
  • Enforcement of the BIMSTEC Charter.
  • Institutionalization of the Home Ministers' Mechanism, with India offering to host the first meeting.
  • Strengthening mechanisms to counter terrorism, cybercrime, and human trafficking.

India’s Key Announcements and Initiatives

A. Centres of Excellence

India announced the establishment of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in:

• Disaster Management
• Sustainable Maritime Transport
• Traditional Medicine
• Agricultural Research and Training

B. Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure

• Operationalization of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru.
• Proposal to link India’s UPI with BIMSTEC payment systems.
• Launch of a pilot study on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for governance and service delivery.

C. Trade and Economic Integration

• Proposal to create a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
• Plan for an Annual Business Summit.
• Suggestion for a feasibility study on trade in local currencies.

D. Maritime and Space Cooperation

• Proposal for a Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India.
• Support for electric grid interconnection across member states.
• Space cooperation: development of nano-satellites, remote sensing data sharing, and training via a dedicated ground station.

Human Development and Cultural Engagement

• BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure (BODHI):
  • Training for 300 youth annually.
  • Scholarships (e.g., Nalanda University, Forestry Research Institute).
  • Diplomatic training programs.

Health Sector

• Cancer Care Capacity Building Program for BIMSTEC countries.

Youth and Cultural Initiatives

• BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival
• Young Leaders’ SummitandHackathon
• Young Professional Visitors Program
• BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025)
• BIMSTEC Games (2027)– to mark the 30th anniversary

India–Thailand Strategic Partnership (Announced on Sidelines)

Maritime and Regional Cooperation

• Strengthening ties via Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
• Boosting connectivity via the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.

Defence and Security

• Expansion of defence dialogues and joint military exercises (e.g., Exercise Maitree).
• Cooperation in cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing.

Economic and Trade Engagement

• Enhancing supply chain resilience, boosting bilateral trade, and exploring FTA upgradation.

Science and Innovation

• Joint ventures in renewable energy, space technology, and biotech innovation.
• Cooperation on digital public infrastructure.

Cultural Relations

• Promotion of Buddhist heritage, education exchanges, and tourism.
• Engagement with the Indian diaspora in Thailand.

In News:

• The 6th BIMSTEC Summit is scheduled for April 4, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC."
• It aims to deepen cooperation among member states on trade, security, connectivity, and sustainable development, while endorsing the long-term roadmap titled Bangkok Vision 2030.

About BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)

• Established: 6 June 1997 (via Bangkok Declaration)
• Initial Name: BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation)
• Evolution:
  • Renamed BIMST-EC in 1997 with Myanmar’s inclusion
  • Full members as of 2004: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Operational since 2014)
• Chairmanship: Rotational, alphabetical order
• Structure: Guided by the BIMSTEC Charter (adopted in 2022)

Objectives and Strategic Focus

• Foster economic and technical cooperation among littoral states of the Bay of Bengal
• Promote collaboration in trade, energy, transport, security, technology, and environmental protection
• Enhance regional connectivity through infrastructure, digital links, and maritime transport
• Address shared challenges like terrorism, poverty, natural disasters, and climate change
• Strengthen people-to-people exchanges and institutional frameworks

Highlights of the 6th Summit

• Follows the 5th Summit held virtually in Colombo (2022)
• Preceded by:
  • Senior Officials’ Meeting (April 2, 2025)
  • Foreign/External Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (April 3, 2025)

Key Agendas and Agreements:

• 6th BIMSTEC Summit Declaration – outlining vision and action points
• Bangkok Vision 2030 – strategic roadmap for future cooperation
• Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation – enhancing cargo and passenger movement across Bay of Bengal
• MoUs with:
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanisms – to operationalize the 2022 Charter
• Report of the Eminent Persons Group – outlines BIMSTEC's future direction; implementation has begun

Sectoral Priorities

• Reforms in 2021 streamlined BIMSTEC’s focus to seven core sectors:
  • Trade, Investment and Development
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Security and Counter-Terrorism
  • Agriculture and Food Security
  • Connectivity
  • People-to-People Contact
  • Science, Technology and Innovation
• Emerging Focus Areas: Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management

Significance

• Geostrategic Bridge: Connects South Asia and Southeast Asia, supplementing SAARC and ASEAN efforts
• Reinforces BIMSTEC’s role as the sole regional platform in the Bay of Bengal
• Strengthens institutional architecture for regional peace, prosperity, and resilience