India and New Initiatives at BIMSTEC Summit
Context:
At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled more than 20 major initiatives aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, economic cooperation, security, and human development among the seven BIMSTEC nations.
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- Describing BIMSTEC as more than just a regional grouping, the PM hailed it as a “model for inclusive development and collective security.”
- “BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge between South and Southeast Asia and is emerging as a powerful platform for regional prosperity,” PM Modi said during his address.
- He welcomed the recent implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter and expressed confidence that the adoption of the Bangkok Vision 2030 would accelerate shared progress in the Bay of Bengal region.
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
BIMSTEC is a regional multilateral organisation established on 6th June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it serves as a platform for cooperation among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries bordering the Bay of Bengal. The organisation aims to foster economic growth, regional connectivity, and collaboration across various sectors. It comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Major Initiatives
- Strengthening Security and Institutional Mechanisms: PM Modi announced the institutionalisation of a BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ mechanism to tackle issues such as terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
- Enhancing Connectivity and Trade: Highlighting the importance of integrated development, PM Modi proposed stronger physical, digital, and energy connectivity. Key initiatives include:
- Interlinking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with payment systems of other BIMSTEC countries to enhance trade, tourism, and commerce.
- Accelerated efforts toward electric grid interconnection to improve energy security across the region.
- Creation of a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and an annual Business Summit to strengthen trade and business ties.
- A feasibility study on local currency trade among member nations.
- Maritime and Disaster Preparedness: Acknowledging the shared priority of securing the Indian Ocean, Modi proposed a Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre focused on research, innovation, and policy coordination.
- He also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to improve disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
- A joint exercise involving disaster management authorities will also take place later this year.
- He also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to improve disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
- Focus on Health, Agriculture, and Traditional Medicine: Underlining India’s holistic approach to public health, PM Modi said India will support cancer care training across BIMSTEC countries and establish:
- A Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine for research and knowledge-sharing.
- A Centre of Excellence in Agriculture to enhance knowledge exchange, research, and capacity building.
- Cooperation in Space, Education, and Skill Development: PM Modi proposed significant steps in space cooperation, including:
- Ground station establishment for training and satellite development.
- Use of remote sensing data across member nations.
- To enhance human capital, India is launching the BODHI initiative (BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure), offering training to 300 young individuals from BIMSTEC countries annually. Additional educational opportunities include:
- Scholarships at India’s Forest Research Institute and Nalanda University.
- An annual training programme for young diplomats.
- Cultural and Youth Engagement: India will host the first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival and the Young Leaders’ Summit later this year.
- New programmes like the BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors Programme will be launched to encourage innovation and collaboration.
- Sports Initiatives: India also proposed to host a BIMSTEC Athletics Meet in 2025 and announced plans to organise the inaugural BIMSTEC Games in 2027, marking the 30th anniversary of the grouping.
- Humanitarian Support and Solidarity: Expressing condolences over the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s role as a first responder during crises.
- He noted India’s timely aid delivery to Myanmar and reiterated the importance of disaster readiness.
With these comprehensive initiatives, the India Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to a prosperous, secure, and interconnected Bay of Bengal region through the BIMSTEC platform.
