The sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), taking place from April 1 to 5 in Thailand, is set to be a defining moment for the regional bloc. At the heart of the discussions will be the adoption of BIMSTEC Vision 2030, a strategic roadmap aimed at expanding and strengthening collaboration among member-states.
Adding to the summit’s significance, leaders are expected to approve a comprehensive report by the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), which proposes sweeping reforms to reinvigorate and redefine the organization’s role in the region. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, underscored the importance of this gathering in an interview with ANI, highlighting that it will be the first in-person summit since Kathmandu hosted the event in 2018.
One of the key outcomes will be the formalization of BIMSTEC Vision 2030, a forward-looking framework designed to guide future cooperation. Additionally, leaders will adopt rules of procedure, building on the momentum of the BIMSTEC Charter’s enforcement in May 2023. The summit will also witness the signing of a Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement, a crucial step toward enhancing regional connectivity. Another major highlight will be the virtual inauguration of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, an initiative aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing in energy sector reforms, regulations, and best practices among member nations.
Despite being established in 1997, BIMSTEC only adopted its foundational charter in 2022, reflecting its historically slow progress. However, with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) remaining inactive due to persistent India-Pakistan tensions, BIMSTEC has emerged as a potential alternative for regional collaboration. India, in particular, has been actively working to elevate BIMSTEC’s role, though officials maintain that SAARC could still be revived in the future.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will lead Nepal’s delegation to the summit, reiterating the country’s support for BIMSTEC while emphasizing that it should not be seen as a replacement for SAARC. The 2018 Kathmandu Summit, held during Oli’s previous term, produced an 18-point declaration, setting a precedent for ambitious outcomes this year.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, including with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising prospects for progress on regional diplomacy.
As BIMSTEC seeks to move beyond years of sluggish progress, this summit could mark the beginning of a new chapter in regional cooperation, one that bridges South Asia and Southeast Asia more effectively than ever before.
