Context:
Twenty-eight years since its establishment, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030, aiming to transform the group into a “Prosperous, Resilient and Open (PRO)” bloc by 2030.
The vision emphasizes regional peace, stability, and sustainability, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model, which advocates for low-carbon ecosystems.
India’s Role and New Initiatives
India made several notable contributions at the sixth summit hosted by Thailand, reinforcing its “Act East” policy and countering China’s regional influence:
- BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence on disaster management, maritime transport, traditional medicine, and agri-research
- Launch of the “Bodhi Programme” for skill development
- Proposal for a pilot study on digital public infrastructure
- Suggestion for a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and stronger people-to-people linkages
Geopolitical Hurdles and Group Dynamics
Despite the renewed vision, BIMSTEC faces multiple internal challenges:
- Indo-Bangladesh relations have recently cooled, though leaders met on the summit’s sidelines
- Bangladesh-Myanmar tensions persist over the Rohingya refugee crisis
- Myanmar’s civil conflict has rendered it largely ineffective within the grouping
Institutional and Structural Issues
BIMSTEC has long struggled with inertia and underperformance:
- Only six summits have occurred, despite a biennial meeting plan
- The Dhaka-based secretariat (established in 2014) remains under-resourced
- A formal charter was only adopted in 2022, outlining institutional mechanisms
- Thailand and Myanmar have historically prioritized ASEAN over BIMSTEC
Overextension and Incomplete Projects
The grouping’s broad agenda spanning 14 sectors like trade, health, climate, counter-terrorism, and tourism has diluted focus and delayed progress.
Key initiatives remain unfinished or stagnant:
- A free trade agreement first proposed in 2004 has seen no progress
- Crucial projects on coastal shipping, road transport, and an intra-regional energy grid are delayed due to unresolved legal frameworks
Looking Forward: India’s Critical Role
With increasing geopolitical tensions, US trade barriers, and China’s rising influence in the Bay of Bengal, member states are now showing signs of renewed commitment.
As the largest economy in BIMSTEC, India’s leadership and diplomatic engagement will be pivotal in converting aspirations into action.
