Sixth BIMSTEC Summit 2025: A New Era of Regional Cooperation

The Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is set to take place from April 2 to 4, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. This high-level meeting marks a significant step in strengthening regional integration and collaboration among BIMSTEC’s seven member nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The summit aims to address pressing regional challenges and promote economic growth, security, and connectivity.

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Understanding BIMSTEC’s Role in Regional Cooperation

BIMSTEC, established in 1997, serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, fostering economic and technical cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, technology, energy, transport, and security. The organization represents a population of over 1.7 billion people and a combined GDP of nearly $5 trillion. Over the years, BIMSTEC has played an instrumental role in enhancing trade connectivity and regional partnerships among its members.

Key Objectives of the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit

As the current chair of BIMSTEC (2022-2025), Thailand has set forth several objectives for the upcoming summit:

1. Adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030

One of the most anticipated outcomes of the summit is the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, a strategic framework outlining the future direction of the organization. This vision will focus on enhancing economic cooperation, sustainable development, and digital transformation among member nations.

2. Presentation of the Report by the Eminent Persons’ Group

A group of experts has been working on a report to provide strategic recommendations on how BIMSTEC can better address regional challenges and improve institutional effectiveness. This report is expected to play a crucial role in shaping BIMSTEC’s long-term policies.

3. Adoption of the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration

The summit will conclude with the adoption of the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration, which will outline key commitments by member states and highlight major agreements reached during the discussions. The declaration is expected to emphasize issues such as maritime security, trade facilitation, and climate resilience.

Significance of the Summit for India and Thailand

India, as a founding member of BIMSTEC, sees the summit as an opportunity to further its Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen India’s ties with Southeast Asian nations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the summit is expected to reinforce bilateral ties with Thailand and other member nations. India and Thailand, in particular, have a strong economic relationship, with bilateral trade reaching $16.04 billion in 2023. The summit is likely to boost trade and investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, and digital technology.

Participation of Member States

All BIMSTEC member countries are expected to attend the summit. However, Myanmar’s participation remains uncertain due to the recent earthquake in the country. While some reports suggest that Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing might attend the summit virtually, official confirmation is awaited.

Preparatory Meetings and Key Developments

Ahead of the main summit, several preparatory meetings have taken place to ensure well-structured discussions and policy formulation. Some notable meetings include:

• Sixth Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT): Held virtually in July 2024, this meeting focused on agricultural development and food security strategies.
• BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine: A virtual meeting in November 2024 reviewed the progress of the traditional medicine action plan adopted in 2020.

These discussions have laid the groundwork for more effective cooperation among BIMSTEC nations.

Thailand’s Role in BIMSTEC Leadership

Thailand’s leadership in hosting the summit highlights its commitment to strengthening BIMSTEC. The country has also launched a new BIMSTEC Thailand logo, symbolizing unity and shared cultural values among member nations. The logo features a rice grain and a flowing water stream, representing the agricultural and maritime heritage of the region.

Conclusion

The Sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok is expected to be a milestone event in regional diplomacy. With ambitious goals such as the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 and the strengthening of economic and security ties, this summit will set the stage for deeper regional cooperation. As BIMSTEC continues to evolve, it remains a crucial platform for fostering economic growth, trade, and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region. The outcomes of this summit will shape the future trajectory of BIMSTEC, making it more robust and effective in addressing regional challenges.