Recently, India hosted the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi. This event carried particular significance
due to the major developments unfolding in neighboring Myanmar.
About BIMSTEC
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional
organization established to accelerate shared growth and cooperation among countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
Founding: Established as BIST-EC in 1997 with the Bangkok Declaration, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and
Thailand.
Membership Changes: Became BIMST-EC with Myanmar joining in late 1997, and renamed BIMSTEC in 2004 with the
inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan.
Focus Areas:
- Trade & Investment
- Transport & Communication
- Energy
- Tourism
- Technology
- Fisheries & Agriculture
- Public Health
- Poverty Alleviation
- Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime
- Environment & Disaster Management and Climate Change
- People-to-People Contact
- Cultural Cooperation
- BIMSTEC’s Regional Challenges
India emphasized that BIMSTEC should seek solutions to regional challenges internally, highlighting the need for higher
goals given its complementary and congenial membership. Key areas include capacity building and economic cooperation,
which have gained renewed urgency.
Myanmar’s Instability and Regional Instability
Crisis Impact: The ongoing crisis in Myanmar poses significant challenges for BIMSTEC. Instability affects developmental
and connectivity projects essential for strengthening regional ties.
Military Junta Issues: The military Junta’s loss of control over Naungcho, a major town along a trade highway to China,
directly impacts regional connectivity and trade routes.
Discussion Focus: BIMSTEC’s discussions prioritized crucial connectivity projects and border stability while maintaining
caution regarding the Myanmar crisis.
Other Challenges and Related Solutions
Sluggish Progress and Efficiency:
Challenges: Perceived inefficiency and slow progress in achieving objectives. Inconsistency in policy-making and
implementation across member countries.
Solutions: Harmonize diverse national interests and priorities, promote efficiency..
Political Commitment:
Challenges: Varying levels of political commitment from member countries. Larger nations may lack consistent
dedication, and smaller countries might not prioritize BIMSTEC.
Solutions: Ensure consistent political support and prioritize BIMSTEC on national agendas.
Resource Constraints and Capacity Building:
Challenges: Limited resources affecting project implementation.
Solutions: Enhance institutional capacity, allocate resources effectively, promote technical expertise, research, and
human capital development.
Connectivity and Infrastructure Gaps:
Challenges: Physical connectivity issues despite being a regional grouping.
Solutions: Improve transport links, energy grids, and digital infrastructure to enhance trade, investment, and
people-to-people exchanges.
Harmonizing Diverse Interests:
Challenges: Balancing diverse economic sizes, political systems, and development levels.
Solutions: Skillful diplomacy to find consensus on trade facilitation, counterterrorism, and disaster management.
Conclusion
The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat provided an opportunity for member countries to address regional challenges,
especially Myanmar’s ongoing crisis. As the organization seeks solutions, balancing economic cooperation, stability, and
humanitarian concerns remains crucial. Strengthening internal mechanisms, political commitment, resource allocation,
and connectivity will be key to achieving BIMSTEC’s goals and fostering regional growth and stability