Addressing the inaugural session of the fourth BIMSTEC summit held in Bhutan last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for enhanced regional connectivity. He said India is committed to work with the BIMSTEC member states in the critical sector and to combat terrorism and drug trafficking menace. “I believe that there is a big opportunity for connectivity- trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity.”
“India is committed to work with the BIMSTEC member states to enhance regional connectivity,” he said. Modi said this region had become a meeting point for India's Neighbourhood First and Act East policies. “The Bay of Bengal holds special significance for the security and development of all of us. There is no country in the region which has not suffered from terrorism and trans-national crimes such as drug trafficking linked to networks of terrorism.”
Inaugurated by Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the summit was held by a regional grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. “This is not a law and order problem of one country. We must unite to tackle these problems,” Modi said. He called for “cooperation and coordination” among BIMSTEC member states situated between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal, that face frequent natural disasters such as flood, cyclone and earthquake. “As no single country can move along for attaining peace, prosperity, and development, we need to collaborate and cooperate with each other in this interconnected world.”
Modi also offered to host a conference in the areas of agricultural research and various other initiatives, including for start-ups, for the common benefit of the member states. “We need to work together in the areas of trade, economic, transport, digital and people-to-people connectivity for our common benefit. We not only have diplomatic relations with all BIMSTEC countries, but are strongly connected by civilisation, history, art, language, cuisine, and shared culture.” The PM announced the setting up of a Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at the Nalanda University.
Modi invited all BIMSTEC leaders to attend the International Buddhist Conclave in August 2020 as guests of honour. The event will be hosted by India that year. The BIMSTEC summit was attended by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Thailand Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha, Myanmar President Win Myint and Chief Advisor to the Government of Bhutan Gyalpo Tshering Wangchuk.
Nepal PM Oli addressed the summit saying BIMSTEC is not a substitute to the SAARC and the two organisations can compliment each other. He underlined the need for implementing the BIMSTEC poverty plan as well as Millennium Development Goals for the common benefit of the member states.
Modi held bilateral talks with leaders in Bhutan
PM Modi held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including discussions with his Thai counterpart and the President of Myanmar. He tweeted, “Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha and I had a great meeting. Our talks focused on boosting cooperation between India and Thailand for the mutual benefit of our citizens.” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said both the leaders exchanged views on further cementing the bilateral relationship.
Myanmar President Myint and Modi discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Both leaders had productive discussions on accelerating cooperation between India and Myanmar, the Prime Minister's Office said. Kumar said the discussion between the leaders focused on development of cooperation, energy, and other areas of bilateral cooperation. Modi also met Wangchuk, chief adviser of the interim government of Bhutan.
What is BIMSTEC?
BIMSTEC is an economic grouping of member-countries in the South East Asia region. This action taken for regional economic cooperation was carried out in 1997 through the Bangkok declaration. BIMSTEC was created with the aim of increasing socio-economic cooperation in the areas of technology, transport and communications, energy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries and human resources development. In addition to this, BIMSTEC also worked to strengthen cooperation in areas of trade and investment.
