Bangkok/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that BIMSTEC is emerging as a powerful platform for advancing regional connectivity, cooperation and shared prosperity among the seven Bay of Bengal nations. He proposed a 21-point action plan at the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, today.
In his address, PM Modi also expressed happiness that the BIMSTEC Charter came into force last year. “I am confident that the Bangkok Vision 2030, which we are adopting today, will further our collective commitment to building a prosperous, secure, and inclusive Bay of Bengal region,” the PM said.
The 21-point action plan includes:
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 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.
“For us, BIMSTEC is not merely a regional organization. It is a model for inclusive development and collective security. It stands as a testament to our shared commitments and the strength of our unity,” PM Modi said
He also extended a warm welcome to Bangladesh as the incoming Chair of BIMSTEC and conveyed best wishes for its successful leadership.
UNI
