24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting 

Syllabus: GS 2/IR 

In News

• India participates in 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting.

India’s Commitment

• Reiterated India’s vision for a robust, vibrant, and prosperous BIMSTEC region.
• Commitment aligned with:
  • Neighbourhood First Policy
  • Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
  • Act East Policy
• The  meeting reviewed progress since March 2023 and discussed key areas of regional cooperation, including sustainable development, connectivity, security, and people-to-people exchanges. Several documents on cooperation plans, new mechanisms, and partnerships with external entities were finalized. 

BIMSTEC

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was established on June 6, 1997, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. 
  • Originally named BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), the organization was later renamed BIMSTEC.
• Members :  It initially included Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and later expanded to include Myanmar in December 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in 2004.
• Focus : BIMSTEC’s focus initially included six sectors—trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and fisheries—and later expanded to include agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people-to-people contact, and climate change by 2008
  • The group aims to promote economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.

Significance of BIMSTEC

• Regional Cooperation: The Bay of Bengal region was once highly integrated, but regional cooperation declined after independence.
  • BIMSTEC aims to revive connectivity and shared interests among the countries.
• Sector-Driven Cooperation: BIMSTEC operates in a sector-driven manner, unlike other regional organizations like SAARC or ASEAN. Areas of cooperation are divided among members, with India responsible for sectors like transportation, tourism, and counter-terrorism.
• Alignment with India’s Policy: BIMSTEC aligns with India’s “Act East” policy and its broader objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Shift from SAARC: Following the 2016 Uri attack, India shifted focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC as SAARC’s progress stalled due to Indo-Pakistan tensions.
  • BIMSTEC became an alternative platform for regional cooperation.
• Land and Maritime Trade Potential: BIMSTEC has great potential for land and maritime trade, but member countries face challenges in transborder trade, maritime trade, and building a shared coastal shipment system.

Challenges and Setbacks

• Slow Progress: The lack of efficiency and slow pace of progress has been a key challenge.
• Financial and Operational Issues: The secretariat faces financial and manpower constraints.
• Political Issues: Internal conflicts, such as the Rohingya crisis, India-Nepal border disputes, and Myanmar’s political instability, have hindered progress.
• Maritime and Fisheries: The Bay of Bengal is a critical resource for millions, but there has been insufficient cooperation on coastal shipment and fishing issues.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• BIMSTEC’s journey reflects the evolving nature of regional cooperation in a complex geopolitical landscape. 
• While challenges remain, the organization’s institutional maturation and sector-driven approach position it as an important player in shaping the future of the Bay of Bengal region. 
• With continued commitment and cooperation, BIMSTEC could play a pivotal role in fostering a more prosperous and stable future for the member states and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Source: AIR