New Delhi is gearing up to host the foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on July 11th. This meeting is a precursor to the BIMSTEC summit scheduled for September in Thailand, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate.
The gathering of BIMSTEC foreign ministers underscores the growing importance of this regional organization, which has seen increased activity and cooperation in recent years.
The implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter this year, providing a legal and institutional framework, has been a significant milestone. It allows for the admission of new members and agreements with other countries and organizations, further solidifying the group's structure and objectives.
India, a founding member of BIMSTEC, has taken a leading role in promoting regional collaboration. This commitment was evident in the attendance of several BIMSTEC leaders at Prime Minister Modi's oath-taking ceremony last month.
Moreover, India's current leadership of BIMSTEC, with Indra Mani Pandey as the Secretary General, highlights its active involvement.
India's Multifaceted Approach to Regional Cooperation
India's efforts extend beyond the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting. A BIMSTEC National Security Advisors (NSA) meeting is planned for later in July, focusing on critical areas like counter-terrorism, transnational crime, disaster management, and energy.Furthermore, India is organizing the first-ever BIMSTEC Business Summit in August, demonstrating its dedication to economic cooperation within the region.
Prime Minister Modi's expected presence at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in September, along with India's plans to establish three BIMSTEC centers of excellence, including one focused on maritime transport, reinforces its commitment to fostering connectivity and development.
These initiatives are unfolding against a backdrop of growing Chinese influence in the Bay of Bengal region. China's control over ports in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, along with its pursuit of a deep-sea port near the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have raised concerns about India's security and regional stability.
What is BIMSTEC?
BIMSTEC is a seven-member organization comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Founded in 1997, it aims to enhance cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.The organization has evolved over the years, expanding its membership and formalizing its structure through the BIMSTEC Charter in 2022.
