6TH BIMSTEC SUMMIT

6th BIMSTEC Summit was hosted by Thailand, the current chair of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

• Theme: "BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open."
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Participation: PM Modi participated and presented a 21-point action plan to enhance cooperation among the BIMSTEC countries.

PM’s STATEMENT

Opening Remarks:

• Gratitude to Thailand: PM Modi expressed Gratitude to Prime Minister Her Excellency Shinawatra and the Government of Thailand for organizing the Summit so well.
• Condolences for Earthquake Victims: On behalf of the people of India, PM conveyed deep condolences for the loss of lives and property caused by the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand and wished a speedy recovery to those affected.

BIMSTEC's Importance and Leadership:

• Leadership Acknowledgment: PM Modi praised Prime Minister Shinawatra and her team for their strong leadership in guiding BIMSTEC over the last 3 years.
• BIMSTEC as a Bridge: He highlighted that BIMSTEC acts as an important link between South and Southeast Asia and is becoming a strong platform for regional cooperation, growth, and shared prosperity.
• BIMSTEC Charter: PM mentioned that the BIMSTEC Charter came into effect last year and expressed confidence that the Bangkok Vision 2030 will help build a more prosperous, secure, and inclusive Bay of Bengal region.

Proposals for Strengthening BIMSTEC:

• Institutional Strengthening:
  • PM emphasized the need to expand BIMSTEC’s role and strengthen its institutions.
  • The Home Ministers’ Mechanism will help fight cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
  • India offered to host the first meeting of this mechanism later this year.
• Connectivity Initiatives:
  • Physical, digital, and energy connections are key to regional progress.
  • The BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru has started its work.
  • PM proposed faster progress toward electric grid connection across the region.
  • India shared its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and offered to conduct a study to understand the needs of BIMSTEC countries in this area.
  • Connecting payment systems, especially linking India’s UPI with other BIMSTEC countries, will benefit trade, business, and tourism.
• Economic Connectivity:
  • PM proposed creating a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and holding an annual BIMSTEC Business Summit to increase economic ties among member nations.
  • He also suggested a feasibility study to look into trade in local currencies within BIMSTEC countries.

Maritime and Security Cooperation:

• Indian Ocean Security: PM confirmed the shared goal of a free, open, and safe Indian Ocean.
• The Maritime Transport Agreement signed at the summit will boost cooperation in shipping and cargo transport.
• Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre: India proposed setting up this Centre to support capacity building, research, innovation, and better coordination on maritime policies.
• It will also work on improving maritime security in the region.

Disaster Management and Public Health:

• Disaster Management:
  • In light of the recent earthquake, PM emphasized the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
  • India proposed the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management to improve preparation, relief, and recovery
  • India will also host the 4th Joint Exercise for BIMSTEC Disaster Management Authorities later this year.
• Cancer Care and Traditional Medicine:
  • India committed to providing training and support for cancer care in BIMSTEC countries and setting up a Centre of Excellence to promote research on traditional medicine.
• Agriculture:
  • PM proposed creating a Centre of Excellence in India to share agricultural knowledge, promote research, and build skills for farmers in the region.

Scientific and Technological Cooperation:

• Space Cooperation: India proposed sharing its space expertise, including training for personnel, developing nano-satellites, and using remote sensing data for BIMSTEC countries.

Youth Development and Cultural Initiatives:

• BODHI Initiative:
  • The BODHI (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure) initiative will train 300 young people from BIMSTEC countries every year in India, focusing on skills development.
• Scholarships and Training:
  • India will offer scholarships to BIMSTEC students at India’s Forestry Research Institute and expand the scholarship scheme at Nalanda University.
  • An annual training program for young diplomats from BIMSTEC countries will also be organized.
• Cultural Heritage:
  • PM highlighted the region’s shared cultural heritage, including examples like ‘Bali Jatra’ of Odisha, Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and linguistic connections.
  • To celebrate this, India will host the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival later this year.

• Youth Exchange Programs:
  • India will host the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit and launch the BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors Programme to encourage innovation and collaboration.

Sports and Celebrations:

• BIMSTEC Athletics Meet: India will organize the BIMSTEC Athletics Meet in 2025.
• BIMSTEC Games (2027): India will host the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027 to celebrate BIMSTEC’s 30th anniversary.
• Inclusive Development and Collective Security:
  • PM Modi stated that BIMSTEC is a model for inclusive growth and collective security.
  • It is also reflecting the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas” (Together, For Everyone’s Growth, Through Everyone’s Effort).
• Congratulations to Bangladesh:
  • In conclusion, PM Modi warmly welcomed Bangladesh as the incoming Chair of BIMSTEC and wished them success in leading the group.

About Tripitaka (World Tripitaka):

• Presented to PM Modi: The Thai Prime Minister presented PM Modi with The World Tipitaka: Sajjaya Phonetic Edition, a significant Buddhist text.
• Significance of Tipitaka: The Tripitaka (meaning "Three Baskets") is the foundation of Buddhist scriptures and consists of three parts:
  • Vinaya Pitaka: Rules for monastic life.
  • Sutta Pitaka: Buddha’s discourses and teachings.
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical and psychological analyses of Buddhism.
• Pali Canon: Another name for the Tripitaka in Theravada Buddhism.

KEY AGREEMENTS & DOCUMENTS

• Summit Declaration: Highlights the shared vision and commitments for a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC.
• BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030:
  • A comprehensive roadmap for the next 5 years.
  • Aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Focuses on:
    • Prosperity (trade, sustainable development, poverty alleviation),
    • Resilience (agriculture, public health, disaster preparedness),
    • Openness (tourism, connectivity, inclusiveness).
• BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement:
  • Aims to enhance cargo and passenger movement across the Bay of Bengal.
  • Establishes a Joint Shipping Coordination Committee and a structured dispute resolution mechanism.
• Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanisms:
  • Complements the BIMSTEC Charter (2022), enhancing institutional clarity, decision-making, and functional coherence.
• MoUs with International Organizations:
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Expands external cooperation on maritime and blue economy
  • UNODC: Strengthens collaboration in counter-narcotics, criminal justice reform, and transnational crime prevention.
• Approval of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) Report:
  • Provides strategic recommendations for:
    • Institutional reform,
    • Sectoral prioritization,
    • Long-term visioning for BIMSTEC.

ABOUT BIMSTEC

• Formation: Founded in June 1997 as BIST-EC, later expanded to BIMSTEC in 2004.
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand.
• Represents: Over 7 billion people (22% of the global population).
• GDP: A combined GDP of approximately USD 4.5 trillion.
• Permanent Secretariat: Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BIMSTEC’s STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR INDIA

• Strategic Bridge: Acts as a link between South Asia and Southeast Asia, central to India’s Act East Policy.
• Alternative to SAARC: BIMSTEC excludes Pakistan, facilitating smoother cooperation.
• Connectivity & Energy:
  • India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is a key project connecting India’s Northeast with ASEAN nations.
  • India hosts the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, working on projects like electric grid interconnection and renewable energy.
• Security Cooperation: India leads counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and disaster management initiatives within BIMSTEC.
• Cultural Diplomacy: India promotes youth engagement, sports, and cultural exchanges through various initiatives like the BIMSTEC Games (2027) and Traditional Music Festival.

CHALLENGES FACED BY BIMSTEC

• Slow Implementation of Projects:
  • FTA signed in 2004 remains unimplemented.
  • Connectivity projects like the Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Project face delays due to funding and land acquisition issues.
• Weak Institutional Capacity:
  • The BIMSTEC Secretariat is understaffed and underfunded.
  • Lack of a permanent funding mechanism hinders the execution of large-scale initiatives.
• Political Consensus:
  • BIMSTEC functions on a consensus model, which sometimes leads to policy paralysis.
• Regional Tensions:
  • Myanmar’s political instability and other bilateral disputes occasionally affect cooperation.
• Low Intra-Regional Trade:
  • Intra-regional trade remains below 10%, despite efforts to implement the FTA.
• Visibility & Public Awareness:
  • BIMSTEC lacks the visibility of groups like ASEAN and faces challenges in raising public and private sector engagement.