This summit not only showcased the bloc’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation but also saw the launch of India-led capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities of member nations across various sectors. The summit provided a platform for strengthening ties between South Asian and Southeast Asian countries and set the stage for expanded economic, security, and cultural collaboration.
The Chief Adviser of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan; the Prime Minister of the Republic of India; the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; the Prime Minister of Nepal; the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; met in Bangkok, Thailand on 04 April 2025 for the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit. They are reaffirmed their firm commitment to the purposes and principles of BIMSTEC as contained in the BIMSTEC Charter and the 1997 Bangkok Declaration.
Ensuring Shared Growth in Uncertain Times
The theme of the Summit – “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open” – not only reflected the priorities of the leaders and the aspirations of the peoples of the BIMSTEC region, but also the efforts of BIMSTEC in ensuring shared growth in times of global uncertainties. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Shinawatra for successfully steering the Group. Highlighting BIMSTEC as a vital bridge between South Asia and South-East Asia, he underscored the significance of the Group as an impactful platform for regional cooperation, coordination and progress and called for further strengthening the agenda and capacity of BIMSTEC.
India-led Growth Initiatives
PM Modi announced several India-led initiatives towards institutional and capacity building in BIMSTEC. These include the setting up of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India on Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Research and Training in Agriculture. He also announced a new programme for skilling the youth – BODHI [BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure] under which training and scholarships would be provided to professionals, students, researchers, diplomats and others. He also offered a pilot study by India to assess regional needs in Digital Public Infrastructure and a capacity-building programme for cancer care in the region. Calling for greater regional economic integration, he offered to establish BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and to organise BIMSTEC Business Summit every year in India.
Renewing Historical and Cultural Ties
Emphasizing upon the need to build upon the historic and cultural ties that bring the region together, PM Modi announced several initiatives to further strengthen people-to-people linkages. India would be hosting a BIMSTEC Athletics meet this year and the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027, when the group celebrates its 30th anniversary. The BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival would also be hosted by India. To bring the youths of the region closer, he announced a Young Leaders’ Summit, a Hackathon and a Young Professional Visitors programme.
The Summit adopted the following
- Summit Declaration, The participating countries adopted the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 for a common aspiration towards a forward-looking BIMSTEC region that is prosperous, resilient and open to tackle challenges and seize opportunities for the coming decade. They were in unison for taking appropriate measures on a priority basis in the areas of mutual benefit to build a robust BIMSTEC to address the contemporary global challenges, expressed in the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 as part of this Declaration.
- BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 document laid out the road map for the collective prosperity of the region with the spirit of cooperation, solidarity, equal partnership, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
- Signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, which provided for – National Treatment and assistance to vessels, crew and cargo; mutual recognition of certificates/ documents; Joint Shipping Coordination Committee; and dispute settlement mechanism.
- Report of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons Group, constituted to make recommendations for future direction for the BIMSTEC.
Major Outcomes of the Summit
Business
- Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
- Organization of BIMSTEC Business Summit every year.
- Feasibility study on the possibilities of trade in local currency in the BIMSTEC region
IT
- Pilot study to understand the needs of BIMSTEC countries to share the experience of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Connectivity between UPI and payment systems in the BIMSTEC region.
Mitigation and Disaster Management
- Establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to cooperate in disaster management, relief and rehabilitation.
- Fourth joint exercises between BIMSTEC Disaster Management Authorities to be held in India this year.
Security
- Holding the first meeting of the Home Ministers’ Mechanism in India
Space
- Setting up ground stations for manpower training for BIMSTEC countries, manufacturing and launching of Nano Satellites, and use of remote sensing data.
Capacity Building and Training
- “BODHI”, i.e., “BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure” initiative. Under this, 300 youth from BIMSTEC countries will be trained in India every year.
- Scholarships to BIMSTEC students in the Forestry Research Institute of India and expansion of the scholarship scheme at Nalanda University.
- Training programme every year for young diplomats from BIMSTEC countries.
- Tata Memorial Centre to support training and capacity building in cancer care in BIMSTEC countries.
- Establishment of Centre of Excellence for research and dissemination in traditional medicine.
- Centre of Excellence in India for exchange of knowledge and best practices, research and capacity building for the benefit of farmers.
Energy
- BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru has started working.
- Faster work on the electric grid interconnection.
Youth engagement
- BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit to be held this year.
- The BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors programme will be launched.
Sports
- Holding ‘BIMSTEC Athletics Meet’ in India this year.
- Hosting the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027.
Culture
- BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to be held in India this year
Connectivity
- Establishment of Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India to work to enhance coordination in capacity building, research, innovation and maritime policies.
Recognising the unique characteristic of BIMSTEC as the only organisation which links South Asia and Southeast Asia the member countries appreciated the crucial role played by BIMSTEC in enhancing regional cooperation in agreed priority areas over 27 years of its existence, They also agreed on the need to revitalize BIMSTEC as an effective vehicle to fulfil the developmental aspirations of the peoples in the Bay of Bengal region. They all focussed on the opportunities resulting on account of their geographical contiguity, plentiful natural and human resources, historical linkages and rich cultural heritage. They were of the view that now is the century of Asia and having achieved significant progress in recovering from the global economic recession, BIMSTEC is all set to advance in growth and influence in pursuit of common progress and prosperity.
