Source: DD News
Context: The 6th BIMSTEC Summit will be held on April 4, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand with the theme “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC.”
- It aims to enhance regional cooperation on trade, security, connectivity, and endorse the Bangkok Vision 2030.
About BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation):
- What is BIMSTEC?
- A regional grouping connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia to promote technical and economic cooperation among nations bordering the Bay of Bengal.
- Established On: 6 June 1997, via the Bangkok Declaration.
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- Originally named BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
- On 22 December 1997 during a special Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, the Group was renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
- In 1998, Nepal became an observer.
- In February 2004, Nepal and Bhutan became full members and renamed as BIMSTEC in 2004.
- Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Operational since 2014).
- Members (7 Countries): Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- Chairmanship Procedure: Rotational leadership in alphabetical order of member states.
- Objectives of BIMSTEC:
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- Promote economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
- Facilitate sectoral collaboration in trade, technology, energy, transport, and environment.
- Address shared regional challenges including terrorism, poverty, and climate change.
- Foster regional connectivity through cross-border infrastructure and digital links.
- Enable people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, and academic partnerships.
- Key Features of BIMSTEC:
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- Bridge between SAARC and ASEAN: Offers a unique geostrategic platform uniting South and Southeast Asia.
- Sector-led cooperation: Began with six sectors in 1997, now streamlined to seven core sectors post-2021 reforms.
- Focus on Security and Trade: Includes counter-terrorism, disaster management, and maritime cooperation.
- Vision-based Agenda: 6th Summit to adopt Bangkok Vision 2030 and Maritime Transport Agreement.
- Institutional Strengthening: BIMSTEC Charter signed in 2022; Secretariat operational since 2014.
