At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, India added value to the summit by unveiling 20 new initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation in trade facilitation, digital connectivity, counter-terrorism, coastal security, and disaster resilience.
● BIMSTEC –
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), established in 1997, is a regional organization comprising seven member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It aims to foster regional cooperation through economic integration, technological collaboration, and socio-cultural exchange across the Bay of Bengal region.
● Strategic Importance to India –
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BIMSTEC provides the platform for India to bring its ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East Policy’ to light.
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Focused platform to engage with both South Asian and Southeast Asian partners.
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Promotes greater connectivity with Southeast Asia via the northeastern states.
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Counterbalances the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific.
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Strengthens maritime security and regional trade through multilateral cooperation in the Bay of Bengal.
India’s initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in April 2025 reflect a well-defined strategy to strengthen regional cooperation through capacity building, connectivity, sustainable development, and technological exchange. Below are insights into India’s key initiatives, highlighting their strategic intent and potential impact:
1. BODHI Initiative (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure)
Insight:
a. This program aims to train 300+ youth annually from BIMSTEC countries in diverse sectors.
b. Reflects India’s soft power strategy to shape future regional leadership, build goodwill, and promote shared development goals.
c. Reinforces India’s leadership in knowledge diplomacy by transferring skills and expertise, especially in governance, digital technology, and public health.
2. Establishment of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
India proposed multiple CoEs in India focusing on:
a. Disaster Management
b. Sustainable Maritime Transport
c. Traditional Medicine
d. Agricultural Research and Training
Insight:
a. These CoEs position India as a regional knowledge and response hub in critical sectors.
b. India leverages its existing domestic capacities (like NIDM for disaster management or AYUSH for traditional medicine) to provide structured solutions for regional challenges.
c. The maritime transport CoE also aligns with India’s Sagarmala and Indo-Pacific maritime strategy, aiming to counterbalance Chinese maritime influence.
3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Study and Technical Support
Insight:
a. India proposed a pilot study on DPI needs in BIMSTEC and offered support in digital governance, inspired by India’s success with platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker.
b. This initiative is geopolitically significant, as it offers an alternative to Chinese tech and digital infrastructure in the region.
c. Also helps India export its digital model, encouraging regulatory convergence and interoperability.
4. Cancer Care Capacity Building Program
Insight:
a. A unique initiative addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in lower-income BIMSTEC nations where access to cancer care is limited.
b. Positions India as a regional healthcare leader and expands medical diplomacy.
c. Likely to increase demand for Indian pharmaceuticals and medical training services.
5. Support for BIMSTEC’s Institutional and Legal Framework
India backed the Rules of Procedure and called for early finalization of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Insight:
a. India is pushing for a rules-based and predictable institutional structure, essential for deeper economic integration.
b. Also asserts leadership by helping BIMSTEC evolve beyond a dialogue forum into a functional economic and strategic bloc.
6. Proposal for BIMSTEC Startup Innovation Forum (Under discussion)
Insight:
a. Encourages innovation-led growth and youth entrepreneurship across member countries.
b. Aligns with India’s Startup India initiative, using it as a tool of economic diplomacy and job creation.
India’s initiatives in BIMSTEC reflect a multi-dimensional leadership strategy—blending capacity building, digital diplomacy, economic integration, and sustainable development. These efforts not only project India’s regional influence but also contribute to building a more resilient and self-sufficient Bay of Bengal.
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