Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 04 April 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted by Thailand, the current chair. The theme of the Summit was – “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”. It reflected the priorities of the leaders and the aspirations of the peoples of the BIMSTEC region, as well as the efforts of BIMSTEC in ensuring shared growth in times of global uncertainties.
Prime Minister began his address by offering condolences on the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. He thanked Prime Minister Shinawatra for successfully steering the Group. Highlighting BIMSTEC as a vital bridge between South Asia and South-East Asia, Prime Minister underlined that the Group had become an impactful platform for regional cooperation, coordination and progress. In this regard, he called for further strengthening the agenda and capacity of BIMSTEC.
Prime Minister announced several India-led initiatives towards institution and capacity building in BIMSTEC. These include setting up of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India on Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Research and Training in Agriculture. He also announced a new programme for skilling the youth – BODHI [BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure] under which training and scholarships would be provided to professionals, students, researchers, diplomats and others. He also offered a pilot study by India to assess regional needs in Digital Public Infrastructure and a capacity building programme for cancer care in the region. Calling for greater regional economic integration, Prime Minister offered to establish BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and to organize BIMSTEC Business Summit every year in India.
Emphasizing on the need to build upon the historic and cultural ties that bring the region together, Prime Minister announced several initiatives to further strengthen people-to-people linkages. India would be hosting a BIMSTEC Athletics Meet this year and the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027 when the group celebrates its 30th anniversary. It would also host a BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival. To bring the youths of the region closer, Prime Minister announced a Young Leaders’ Summit, a Hackathon and a Young Professional Visitors programme. The full list of initiatives announced by the Prime Minister may be seen here.
The Summit adopted the following:
- Summit Declaration
- BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 document, which lays out the road map for the collective prosperity of the region.
iii. Signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, which provides for – National Treatment and assistance to vessels, crew and cargo; mutual recognition of certificates/ documents; Joint Shipping Coordination Committee; and dispute settlement mechanism.
ⅳ. Report of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons Group constituted to make recommendations for future direction for the BIMSTEC.
List of BIMSTEC Initiative:
Business
* Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
* Organization of BIMSTEC Business Summit every year.
* Feasibility study on the possibilities of trade in local currency in the BIMSTEC region.
IT
* Pilot study to understand the needs of BIMSTEC countries to share the experience of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
* Connectivity between UPI and payment systems in the BIMSTEC region.
Mitigation and Disaster Management
* Establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to cooperate in disaster management, relief and rehabilitation.
* Fourth joint exercises between BIMSTEC Disaster Management Authorities to be held in India this year.
Security
* Holding the first meeting of the Home Ministers’ Mechanism in India
Space
* Setting up ground stations for manpower training for BIMSTEC countries, manufacturing and launching of Nano Satellites, and use of remote sensing data.
Capacity Building and Training
* “BODHI”, i.e., “BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human resource Infrastructure” initiative. Under this, 300 youth from BIMSTEC countries will be trained in India every year.
* Scholarships to BIMSTEC students in the Forestry Research Institute of India and expansion of the scholarship scheme at Nalanda University.
* Taining programme every year for young diplomats from BIMSTEC countries.
* Tata Memorial Centre to support training and capacity building in cancer care in BIMSTEC countries.
* Establishment of Centre of Excellence for research and dissemination in traditional medicine
* Centre of Excellence in India for exchange of knowledge and best practices, research and capacity building for the benefit of farmers.
Energy
* BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru has started working.
* Faster work on electric grid interconnection.
Youth engagement
* BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit to be held this year.
* The BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors programme will be launched.
Sports
* Holding ‘BIMSTEC Athletics Meet’ in India this year.
* Hosting the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027
Culture
* BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to be held in India this year
Connectivity
* Establishment of Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India to work to enhance coordination in capacity building, research, innovation and maritime policies.
Prime Minister meets Chief Advisor of Bangladesh on the sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met today with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Prime Minister reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. Enunciating India’s people-centric approach to the relationship, Prime Minister highlighted that cooperation between the two countries has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries. He underlined India’s desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism.
Prime Minister urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided. On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties.
Prime Minister underlined India’s concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Government of Bangladesh would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them.
Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh on assuming the Chair of BIMSTEC and looked forward to the forum further advancing regional cooperation under its leadership. The leaders agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.
Prime Minister expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between the two countries would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met today with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
The two leaders discussed the situation in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, including India’s ongoing efforts under “Operation Brahma” to provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance to Myanmar. The Senior General expressed his gratitude for India’s assistance efforts. Prime Minister conveyed that, as the First Responder, India stands with Myanmar in this time of crisis and is ready to deploy more material assistance and resources if required.
PM underlined the importance of early restoration of a democratic process through inclusive and credible elections, adding that India supported efforts aimed at fostering trust and advancing a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led transition towards a peaceful, stable and democratic future. Alluding to the human cost of the ongoing ethnic violence in Myanmar, PM underlined that there was no military solution to the conflict and stressed that enduring peace could only be achieved through an inclusive dialogue.
Prime Minister appreciated the support extended by Myanmar for the rescue and repatriation of Indian nationals from cyber-scam centres along the Myanmar–Thailand border. Both sides agreed on the need to cooperate in addressing insurgent activities, transnational crimes and human trafficking along the India-Myanmar border.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing India-supported infrastructure development projects in Myanmar. Prime Minister underlined India’s readiness to support the developmental needs of all communities in Myanmar.
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