BIMSTEC SUMMIT

Indian Prime Minister participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand under its chairmanship.

  • Theme: “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open”, focusing on regional cooperation and key challenges.
  • On the sidelines, India and Thailand elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.

BIMSTEC

Aspect Details
Full Form Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
Members Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Founded 1997 (via Bangkok Declaration)
Original Name BIST-EC → BIMST-EC → BIMSTEC
Headquarters Dhaka, Bangladesh
Population ~1.7 billion (22% of global)
Combined GDP ~$5.2 trillion (2023 est.)

Significance of BIMSTEC

  • Supports India’s Act East Policy: Enhances connectivity and trade in Indo-Pacific.
  • Viable Alternative to SAARC: Especially post SAARC’s stagnation.
  • Geostrategic Tool: Counters growing Chinese influence in the region.
  • Disaster Management & Security: Focus on HADR, counter-terrorism.
  • Cultural Promotion: Institutions like Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies (Nalanda University) foster cultural heritage.

Key Highlights of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit

Vision & Roadmap

  • Adoption of Bangkok Vision 2030 and the Summit Declaration.
  • Emphasis on:
    • Regional prosperity
    • Economic integration
    • Infrastructure & technology collaboration
    • Resilience to global challenges

India’s Key Announcements

  • 21-point Action Plan for regional cooperation in:
    • Connectivity, Trade, Disaster Management, Tech Integration

BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence (India-led)

  • Focus Areas:
    • Disaster Management
    • Sustainable Maritime Transport
    • Traditional Medicine
    • Agriculture R&D & Training

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

  • Pilot study for enhanced governance and service delivery.

BODHI Program

  • BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure:
    • Training, scholarships, capacity-building for professionals.

Cancer Care Initiative

  • Capacity-building program for cancer treatment across BIMSTEC.

Chamber of Commerce & Business Summit

  • Annual BIMSTEC Business Summit
  • Creation of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce

People-to-People Initiatives (India would be hosting)

  • BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025)
  • BIMSTEC Games (2027) (30th anniversary)
  • Traditional Music Festival
  • Youth Hackathon & Leadership Summits
  • Young Professional Visitors Program

Other Initiatives

  • Linking India’s UPI with BIMSTEC payment systems.
  • Operationalizing BIMSTEC Energy Centre (Bengaluru).
  • Grid interconnection, Maritime Transport Agreement.
  • Nano-satellite & remote sensing collaboration.
  • Scholarships, traditional medicine, agricultural research.

India-Thailand Strategic Partnership Highlights

Maritime Cooperation

  • Indo-Pacific collaboration via AOIP & IPOI.
  • India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway for regional connectivity.

Defence & Security

  • Expansion of Exercise Maitree, joint military exercises.
  • Focus on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and intel-sharing.

Trade & Economy

  • Supply chain resilience, private sector investment
  • FTA upgradation, digital economy cooperation

Cultural & Diaspora Ties

  • Buddhist cultural linkages, education exchanges
  • Tourism & diaspora engagement

Science & Tech

  • Renewable energy, space cooperation
  • Innovation in healthcare, biotech, DPI

Regional & Multilateral Cooperation

  • Coordination in BIMSTEC, ASEAN, IORA, UN
  • Promotion of rules-based international order

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