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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and strategic policies have injected renewed energy into the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), positioning India as a central force in shaping the group’s evolving agenda.
BIMSTEC has seen enhanced coherence and dynamism. This progress is driven by a convergence of initiatives such as:
- The Neighbourhood First policy,
- Act East policy,
- MAHASAGAR vision, and
- India’s Indo-Pacific strategy
India’s role has become pivotal in aligning regional priorities and unlocking new opportunities for cooperation.
The adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter in May 2024 marked a turning point by formalizing the organization’s structure and giving it global recognition.
This institutional strengthening took place under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi. It also included the appointment of seasoned diplomat Indra Mani Pandey as Secretary General.
India further supported the Secretariat with a $1 million grant, reinforcing its focus on capacity-building.
India hosted key ministerial engagements in 2024, including the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Meeting in July. It also held an informal session on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September in New York – demonstrating its proactive engagement in steering the group forward.
BIMSTEC’s work has now been organized into seven thematic areas, with each member state leading one sector.
India heads the security pillar, playing a critical role in shaping legal frameworks to counter terrorism and transnational crimes.
Other areas include:
- Trade and development (Bangladesh),
- Environment and climate (Bhutan),
- Agriculture and food security (Myanmar),
- People-to-people contacts (Nepal),
- Technology and innovation (Sri Lanka), and
- Connectivity (Thailand)
India has placed strong emphasis on improving connectivity, particularly in the physical, digital, and energy domains.
It hosts the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, coordinating regional power grid efforts aligned with the ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’ vision.
India also leads disaster preparedness initiatives, with regular joint exercises and support through the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate in Noida.
Cultural diplomacy and youth engagement remain top priorities.
Recent events include:
- The BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship (February 2024, Delhi),
- The BIMSTEC Business Summit (August 2024, Delhi),
- Participation of a cultural troupe at Bali Jatra (November 2024, Cuttack), and
- The BIMSTEC Pavilion at the Surajkund Mela (February 2025)
Additionally, February 2025 saw the BIMSTEC Youth Summit held in Ahmedabad. A youth-led climate conference also took place in Delhi during the same month. Earlier, in 2024, the BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network was launched.
The momentum seen today traces back to the 2016 Goa Retreat, when PM Modi brought BIMSTEC leaders together during the BRICS Summit.
That initiative has since set the tone for sustained engagement.
Two outcomes from that retreat – the BIMSTEC Vision 2030 and the Eminent Persons Group report – are now being introduced in Bangkok.
Though established in 1997, BIMSTEC’s transformation into a dynamic regional platform has gained traction only after PM Modi’s renewed focus post-2016.
His decision to invite BIMSTEC leaders to his 2019 swearing-in underscored India’s commitment to nurturing the regional bloc as a cornerstone of cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.
Also Read: PM Modi Bats For Stronger Regional Ties At BIMSTEC Summit In Bangkok
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