Syllabus: GS2/Regional Groupings
Context
- The first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was organised at New Delhi.
About
- It was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival called ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, witnessed the celebration of the distinct musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries.
- The Festival served as a vibrant platform to promote and celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the BIMSTEC region.
- The event brought together musicians from all the BIMSTEC countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Srilanka and Thailand.
BIMSTEC
- The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a grouping of seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.
- The organization was formed in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
- It unites South and Southeast Asian nations bordering the Bay of Bengal.
- Founding Members (1997): Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
- Current Members (7): Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- Objective: To help countries in their economic growth, to support social development, and to encourage development in other areas, like science, technology and economic development.
- The BIMSTEC region brings together 1.7 billion people – 22% of world population with a combined GDP of US$ 5 trillion.
- BIMSTEC Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Significance of BIMSTEC for India
- Bridges South Asia and Southeast Asia: BIMSTEC connects India with Thailand and Myanmar (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal.
- Supports initiatives like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project and India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
- Counterbalance to China: Enhances India’s regional influence and offers an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Maritime Security: The Bay of Bengal is vital for India’s naval strategy and energy trade routes.
- Support for India’s Northeast: Opens new avenues for development and integration of the Northeast region with regional markets.
- Bay of Bengal as an Energy Hub: Scope for collaboration in oil and gas exploration, renewable energy, and the blue economy.
- Shared Civilizational Links: Common cultural and religious heritage, particularly Buddhism.
- Easier regional travel, promotion of Buddhist circuits and cultural exchanges.
- Alternative to SAARC: With SAARC stagnating due to Indo-Pak tensions, BIMSTEC serves as a more productive regional forum.
Conclusion
- India’s approach towards the Bay of Bengal countries and BIMSTEC is underpinned by a clear vision of regional integration and strategic autonomy.
- The bay remains a keystone in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with its economic and security imperatives demanding proactive engagement.
- The transformation of the Northeast underscores India’s commitment to internal development as a foundation for external engagement.
- These interlinked policies have reinforced India’s role as a key pillar in the rapidly emerging multipolar order across Asia and beyond, fostering long-term economic growth, security and diplomatic influence.
Source: AIR
