As leaders of the seven member nations grouping meets in Bangkok from April 4 to 6, 2025, BIMSTEC Summit with the theme “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC,” in the backdrop of the severe earthquake which hit Myanmar and Bangkok recently, the differences among some member nations too will cast a shadow over the meeting.
The meeting aims to enhance regional cooperation on trade, security, connectivity, and endorse the Bangkok Vision 2030.
This regional grouping connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia to promote technical and economic cooperation among nations bordering the Bay of Bengal was established on June 6, 1997, via the Bangkok Declaration, has on its plate several issues which need to be resolved.
The meeting to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will provide an opportunity for some of these nations to have bilateral meetings, at which bilateral issues may be discussed though the focus would be on multilateral issues focused on member states of the grouping.
Originally named ‘BIST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation), it was on December 22, 1997 during a special Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, the Group was renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
The BIMSTEC Summit to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will provide an opportunity for some of the member nations to have bilateral meetings, at which bilateral issues may be discussed though the focus would be on multilateral issues focused on member states of the grouping
Modi’s participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will reaffirm India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, ‘Act East’ policy, ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, and vision for the Indo-Pacific. The visit which is prime minister’s third visit to Thailand will see the two nations discuss bilateral relations also.
As Delhi reconsiders its tariff in response to US President Donald Trump’s trade war threats, India might want to develop independent initiatives with its neighbours. However, what is indeed very significant in the long run is the acceleration of national maritime development.
The transformation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a major regional economic and security hub, developing ports and related infrastructure along the eastern seaboard, modernising seafaring regulations and improving the ease of doing maritime business will strengthen the imperatives for Bay of Bengal regionalism.
What gives importance to this Summit of BIMSTEC leaders is that this would be the first physical meeting of the BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018. The last i.e. 5th BIMSTEC Summit was held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in March 2022 in virtual format. The leaders are expected to deliberate on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to BIMSTEC cooperation during the Summit.
As Delhi reconsiders its tariff in response to US President Donald Trump’s trade war threats, India might want to develop independent initiatives with its neighbours. However, what is indeed very significant in the long run is the acceleration of national maritime development
The leaders are also expected to discuss various institution and capacity building measures to augment collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework. India has been taking a number of initiatives in BIMSTEC to strengthen regional cooperation and partnership, including enhancing security; facilitating trade and investment; establishing physical, maritime and digital connectivity; collaborating in food, energy, climate and human security; promoting capacity building and skill development; and enhancing people-to-people ties.
Ahead of the BIMSTEC, another major development was the report that Prime Minister Modi and Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold their first official bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, as reported by United News of Bangladesh (UNB). The media outlet cited officials in New Delhi and Dhaka and reported that the Bangladeshi side had requested for the meeting.
“I can tell you that the meeting will take place,” the outlet quoted a senior official in Dhaka as saying. It also received positive response from New Delhi. “It is expected that they’ll meet,” told a source from India. Meanwhile, High Representative to the chief adviser Khalilur Rahman reportedly told media that they had requested for the meeting. “We have requested for the meeting officially. We have reasonable grounds to remain hopeful. There is a high possibility to see the meeting,” he was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.
Ahead of the BIMSTEC Summit, another major development was the report that Prime Minister Modi and Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold their first official bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit in Bangkok
Several factors have impeded Bay of Bengal regionalism. Unlike Pakistan in SAARC, no member nation wields a veto in BIMSTEC. Yet, structural constraints persist and BIMSTEC is yet to achieve the level of mutual trust existing among ASEAN member who set aside bilateral disputes to pursue shared goals of growth and connectivity.
The ongoing disputes between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and tensions between Delhi and Dhaka following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, illustrates these challenges. More concerning is Naypdyidaw’s weakened territorial control which hampers a core BIMSTEC objective which is realising Myanmar’s potential as a land bridge between South and Southeast Asia. These factors suggest India should moderate its expectations of any rapid progress.
With China’s rise and its focus on building its naval strength and expanding its maritime capabilities, its growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s eastward maritime push, and the Washington-Beijing rivalry are making the Bay of Bengal a contested zone once again.
With China’s rise and its focus on building its naval strength and expanding its maritime capabilities, its growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s eastward maritime push, and the Washington-Beijing rivalry are making the Bay of Bengal a contested zone once again
What is of importance is that BIMSTEC brings together 1.67 billion people with a combined GDP of $2.88 trillion, and a source of high-value energy market. Member-states like India have a GDP target of $30 trillion by 2027. Bangladesh aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2031. Bangladesh and Nepal are going to join the group of developing countries next year. Sri Lanka is rebooting its economy through structural reforms. BIMSTEC can build the regional economies by increasing trade links and improving connectivity leading to mutual gain from complementarities.
Intra-BIMSTEC trade has grown to $60 billion in 2023 from $5 billion in 2000. However, the region is yet to agree upon a regional free trade agreement for which negotiations have been ongoing for over two decades. Along with trade, foreign investment flows have grown. Nonetheless, a free flow of foreign direct investment is crucial for expanding regional or global value chains.
– The writer is a senior journalist and media consultant. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
