{"id":29504,"date":"2026-09-08T18:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=29504"},"modified":"2026-09-08T18:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:31:22","slug":"bimstec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/bimstec\/","title":{"rendered":"BIMSTEC, Headquarter, Members, Secretariat, Map, 6th Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organisation linking South Asia and Southeast Asia through the Bay of Bengal. Established in 1997 as BIST-EC, it has evolved into a seven-member grouping covering economic development, connectivity, security, climate change, agriculture, technology and people-to-people ties. Its institutional framework was strengthened by the BIMSTEC Charter, which entered into force in 2024 and conferred legal personality on the organisation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 6th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Bangkok in 2025, adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030 and advanced cooperation in maritime transport, trade, digital connectivity and security. For India, the group is important for advancing its Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR approaches while strengthening regional connectivity, security and cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC History<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The history of BIMSTEC began on 6 June 1997, when Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand signed the Bangkok Declaration to establish a regional framework for economic cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Formation as BIST-EC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The organisation was initially called BIST-EC, representing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The original objective was to promote economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Myanmar Joining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Myanmar joined on 22 December 1997.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Following its admission, the grouping was renamed BIMST-EC.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The name reflected the participation of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Nepal and Bhutan joined<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Nepal and Bhutan joined the grouping in 2004 during the 6th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Thailand in July 2004.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their admission expanded BIMSTEC to its present seven-member configuration.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At the First BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on 31 July 2004, the group adopted its present name - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Member States<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC has seven Member States, which are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. These countries together connect the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions through the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Map<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29508 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/07165500\/BIMSTEC-MAP.png\" alt=\"BIMSTEC\" width=\"773\" height=\"618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/07165500\/BIMSTEC-MAP.png 1402w, https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/07165500\/BIMSTEC-MAP-768x615.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Secretariat<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Secretariat is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and serves as the organisation's institutional centre for coordinating its activities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Secretariat was established in 2014 following the decision of the Third BIMSTEC Summit.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Location of BIMSTEC Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Secretariat supports the organisation's institutional functioning and coordination among its Member States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Chairmanship<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Chairmanship rotates among member states according to the alphabetical order of their English names, with the changeover taking place during a Summit Meeting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>BIMSTEC Chairmanship Working<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The member state holding the Chairmanship hosts the BIMSTEC Summit.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It subsequently hands over the Chairmanship to the next Member State in alphabetical order.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Chair promotes its interests through policy initiatives, coordination, consensus building, and cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Chair also represents BIMSTEC before external partners.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Current BIMSTEC Chairmanship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Bangladesh has held the BIMSTEC Chairmanship since April 2025 for a two-year term.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Objectives and Purposes<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The objectives of BIMSTEC are centred on accelerating economic growth and social progress, strengthening regional cooperation, improving connectivity and promoting peace and stability in the Bay of Bengal region.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote Economic Development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BIMSTEC seeks to create conditions for rapid economic development by identifying and implementing cooperation projects in agreed areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Accelerate Regional Growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promote economic growth and social progress through regional initiatives, cooperation and partnership among Member States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Technical and Scientific Cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BIMSTEC promotes collaboration and mutual assistance in economic fields, social fields, technical areas, and scientific activities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote Training and Research:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The organisation seeks to facilitate access to training and research facilities, particularly in educational, professional and technical fields.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Support National Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BIMSTEC encourages regional projects that complement the national development plans of its Member States and can generate tangible benefits for people.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote Regional-Level Projects:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BIMSTEC encourages projects that can be implemented more effectively at the regional level by making use of synergies among Member States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maintain Peace and Stability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BIMSTEC seeks greater cooperation in addressing<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">International <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/terrorism\/\" target=\"_blank\">terrorism<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Transnational organised crime<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Natural disasters<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Climate change<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communicable diseases<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Eradicate Poverty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Poverty alleviation is an important objective of BIMSTEC, with the organisation seeking to contribute to addressing <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/poverty-and-developmental-issues\/\" target=\"_blank\">poverty and developmental issues <\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">across the Bay of Bengal region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Connectivity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BIMSTEC aims to establish multidimensional connectivity and create greater synergy among different connectivity frameworks as a means of supporting economic integration and shared prosperity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote Trade and Investment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: BIMSTEC seeks to use trade and investment as major drivers of economic and social development in the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Sectors of Cooperation<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC's sectors of cooperation have evolved from six initial priority areas into seven broad sectors; the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 approved seven sectors and their sub-sectors.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Trade, Investment and Development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: A cooperation sector aimed at strengthening economic engagement among Member States.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sub-sector: <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/blue-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Blue Economy<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Bangladesh<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environment and Climate Change<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: A cooperation sector focused on regional environmental and climate-related concerns.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sub-sector: Mountain Economy<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Bhutan<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A cooperation sector covering common regional security concerns and transnational threats.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its sub-sectors are Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/disaster-management-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\">Disaster Management<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Energy.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: India.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agriculture and Food Security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: A cooperation sector addressing agricultural development and related food-security concerns.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its sub-sectors are: Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Myanmar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>People-to-People Contact:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A cooperation sector designed to strengthen interaction and connections among the people of Member States.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its sub-sectors include: Culture, Tourism, Poverty Alleviation, People-to-People Contact forums, including think tanks and media<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Nepal.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Science, Technology and Innovation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A cooperation sector aimed at cooperation in technological, health and human-resource-related areas.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its sub-sectors are: Technology, Health, Human Resource Development<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A cooperation sector focused on strengthening regional links among Member States.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lead Member State: Thailand.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Additional Sub-Sectors:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The 19th Ministerial Meeting in 2023 approved the inclusion of:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blue Economy under Trade, Investment and Development<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mountain Economy under Environment and Climate Change<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poverty Alleviation under People-to-People Contact<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC and India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India's engagement with the group is a key component of its regional diplomacy, linking its Neighbourhood First, Act East and MAHASAGAR approaches while focusing particularly on security, connectivity, disaster management, energy and institutional capacity-building.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It connects South Asia and Southeast Asia through the Bay of Bengal and brings together seven countries, enhancing the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/india-southeast-asia\/\" target=\"_blank\">India-Southeast Asian countries'\u2019 relations<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Importance for India<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC is important for India because it provides a platform to deepen cooperation with both South Asian and Southeast Asian countries while strengthening India's economic, security and connectivity interests in the Bay of Bengal region.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Neighbourhood First:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It complements India's efforts to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/act-east-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Act East Policy:<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It provides an institutional bridge between India's eastern and northeastern regions and Southeast Asia.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>MAHASAGAR:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It supports India's broader vision for cooperation and security in the wider maritime region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maritime security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India uses it to advance cooperation on maritime security and related regional challenges.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Transport, trade, energy and people-to-people connectivity are major areas of India's engagement.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Disaster management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India has positioned itself as an important regional first responder and conducts BIMSTEC disaster-management exercises.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Institution building:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India has consistently proposed initiatives to strengthen BIMSTEC's institutional and human capacities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India's Role in BIMSTEC<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India's role in BIMSTEC extends across security, disaster management, energy, transport connectivity, trade, technology and capacity-building.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Security Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India leads the security sector, covering counter-terrorism and transnational crime, disaster management and energy security. India has also promoted cooperation in maritime security, cyber security and space.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Disaster Management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India contributes to disaster preparedness through regular regional exercises and institutional capacity-building.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC disaster-management exercises have been conducted in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India is establishing the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre in India.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The initiative focuses on strengthening capacity in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Energy Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India is leading efforts to strengthen energy connectivity through regional electricity-grid cooperation.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection initiative is aligned with India's broader vision of interconnected clean-energy systems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An MoU on grid interconnection was signed in 2018.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A coordination committee is working on the technical and commercial aspects of the proposed interconnection.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru supports regional energy cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Connectivity is another major area of India's engagement, particularly through transport and maritime links.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity was endorsed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India has supported progress on the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement was signed in 2025.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discussions on a BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle Agreement are continuing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Trade and Economic Cooperation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India supports greater regional economic integration through trade facilitation, value-chain development and efforts towards the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Charter<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the foundational legal document that officially established the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation as an international legal entity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Adoption:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Signed on March 30, 2022, during the 5th Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Legal Personality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conferred legal personality on BIMSTEC, enabling it to engage with external partners and undertake international agreements and arrangements.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">6th BIMSTEC Summit<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Summit was held in Bangkok on 4 April 2025, under the theme of \u201cProsperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Summit brought together the leaders of all seven member states.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Summit was particularly significant because the BIMSTEC Charter had entered into force on 20 May 2024, strengthening BIMSTEC's institutional foundation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The leaders also recognised the need to revitalise BIMSTEC and make it more effective in delivering tangible benefits to the people of the Bay of Bengal region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major Outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The major outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit are listed below.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Bangkok Vision 2030:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It provides a long-term framework for developing a prosperous, resilient and open BIMSTEC by 2030.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maritime Transport Agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The group welcomed the Maritime Transport Agreement as an important instrument for improving regional maritime connectivity and supporting cross-border trade.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Push for Free Trade Area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The 6th Summit renewed the commitment to advance negotiations for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA).<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The leaders called for faster progress on the constituent agreements of FTA and emphasised the importance of trade facilitation and customs cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>New Areas of Cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The Summit incorporated Blue Economy, Mountain Economy and Poverty Alleviation into BIMSTEC's restructured cooperation framework. The respective lead countries were asked to develop plans of action for these areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Digital and Financial Cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The Summit encouraged members to explore digital cross-border payments and trade settlements using local currencies while promoting an inclusive and secure digital economy.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthening Food and Energy Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Summit identified food security and energy security as important components of sustainable regional development.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The leaders supported stronger agricultural cooperation, including the use of science and technology such as precision farming, while also emphasising energy security and regional cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthening Regional Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The 6th Summit called for closer cooperation against emerging and transnational security threats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Summit also welcomed the establishment of the <\/span><b>Home Ministers' Meeting mechanism.<\/b><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India's Initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India announced several capacity-building and institution-strengthening initiatives at the 6th Summit to deepen practical cooperation among Member States.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These included:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishing <\/span><b>four BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> focusing on:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Disaster Management<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable Maritime Transport<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Agriculture<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Traditional Medicine<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>BODHI (BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Infrastructure)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for scholarships and skill development.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A pilot study on <\/span><b>digital public infrastructure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> needs in the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An assistance programme in <\/span><b>cancer care<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Youth exchange programmes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>BIMSTEC Games<\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India announced the first Games in 2027, coinciding with BIMSTEC's 30th anniversary.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although the grouping has considerable potential to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia, sustained political will and institutional strengthening are essential for turning this potential into tangible regional cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Weak Institutional Capacity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> BIMSTEC's institutional capacity remains a major challenge because inadequate resources, limited manpower and weak organisational mechanisms have historically restricted its effectiveness.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lack of Sustained Political Will:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The lack of consistent political commitment among Member States has been one of the biggest obstacles to BIMSTEC's progress.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Poor Physical Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Inadequate physical connectivity remains a significant barrier to deeper economic integration within the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Slow Progress in Trade Integration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The group faces difficulties in converting its potential for regional trade into deeper economic integration because agreements and connectivity initiatives have often progressed slowly.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Economic and Developmental Asymmetries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Wide differences in the economic, social and political conditions of the members make collective policymaking and implementation more complicated.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Divergent National Interests:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Differences in national interests and strategic priorities can make it difficult for the members to develop common positions and implement regional initiatives.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC Way Forward<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The future of the BIMSTEC lies in converting its considerable regional potential into practical cooperation by strengthening connectivity and creating stronger mechanisms for regional integration.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Regional Connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It should make connectivity a central driver of regional integration by improving physical, maritime and multimodal links among its Member States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Harness the Blue Economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: It should make greater use of the Bay of Bengal's maritime resources to generate sustainable economic opportunities and strengthen regional cooperation<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote Technology and Knowledge Sharing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Technology cooperation should become an important instrument for reducing developmental gaps and improving productivity across the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Climate and Environmental Cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: It should adopt a stronger regional approach to climate change and environmental security because ecological risks in the Bay of Bengal frequently cross national boundaries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Build Stronger Disaster-Management Mechanisms:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It should strengthen regional disaster preparedness because its members are exposed to cyclones, floods and other climate-related disasters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Accelerate BIMSTEC FTA: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finalise the constituent agreements of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area, alongside trade facilitation and customs cooperation, to convert connectivity into greater regional economic integration.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 6th Summit explicitly called for faster progress on the FTA.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">BIMSTEC UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Do you think BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realised by forming a new organisation? <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2022)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q2.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Match the following pairs:<\/span> <b>(UPSC Prelims 2026)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 88.1721%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 71.6776%\"><strong>List I \u2013 BIMSTEC Centre\/Establishment<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 119.826%\"><strong>List II \u2013 Location<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 71.6776%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 119.826%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Noida<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 71.6776%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 119.826%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Bengaluru<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 71.6776%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 119.826%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Colombo<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 71.6776%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 119.826%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Thimphu<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Code: ABCD<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) 3 2 1 4\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) 3 1 2 4\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) 4 2 1 3\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) 4 1 2 3<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (c)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q3.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:<\/span><b> (UPSC Prelims 2025)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I. <\/span>It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">II. <\/span>It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IV. <\/span>In BIMSTEC, the subsector of tourism is being led by India.<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) I and II<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) II and III<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) I and IV<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) I only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (d)<\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BIMSTEC is a regional organisation of seven countries around the Bay of Bengal for economic development, social progress and cooperation in multiple sectors. Learn about its members, headquarter, secretariat, &#038; 6th summit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":29621,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,29],"tags":[1989,40,639],"class_list":["post-29504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-international-relations-and-institutions-notes","tag-bimstec","tag-quest","tag-upsc-international-relations-and-institutions-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29504"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29622,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29504\/revisions\/29622"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}