IT News
Bangkok, April 2:
The 3rd BIMSTEC Dialogue, held from April 1-3, 2025, at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, focused on the theme “Imperatives and Impediments of BIMSTEC.” Former Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, addressed the gathering, highlighting key aspects of regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region.
Dr. Singh reflected on his tenure as Minister of State for External Affairs and Education from 2021 to 2024, during which he participated in several significant BIMSTEC meetings and conferences. He recalled the 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held on March 9, 2023, where he represented India in a virtual meeting hosted by Thailand. Several important documents were approved at this meeting, including the Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC mechanisms, the establishment of the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate in India, the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, and the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030.
He also spoke about the Second Conference on “BIMSTEC: 25 Years of Driving Force behind Neighbourhood Cooperation,” held in Kolkata on March 25-26, 2023. At this conference, he delivered the keynote address, reiterating India’s commitment to strengthening BIMSTEC. He emphasized the need for enhancing intra-BIMSTEC trade and transport connectivity and recalled Prime Minister Modi’s pledge for additional financial resources to the BIMSTEC Secretariat during the 2022 Sri Lanka Summit.
During his speech at the 3rd BIMSTEC Dialogue, Dr. Singh described BIMSTEC as a crucial bridge between South and Southeast Asia, comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He noted that the region possessed immense economic potential, rich cultural ties, and significant geopolitical importance. He also pointed out that BIMSTEC served as a critical link between India’s Act East Policy and Thailand’s Look West Policy and could counterbalance global geopolitical shifts such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Dr. Singh highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, stating that BIMSTEC nations were well-positioned to shape a more connected, secure, and prosperous future. He noted that as BIMSTEC approached its 28th anniversary in 2025, it was transitioning into a more structured regional entity aimed at ensuring collective growth and stability. He emphasized the Indian Ocean’s significance as a key trade and security route, carrying nearly 50% of the world’s container traffic and 80% of global oil shipments. With a combined GDP of over $4 trillion and a population of 1.7 billion, the region presented vast economic potential.
Dr. Singh identified key areas of cooperation, including maritime security and the blue economy, connectivity and trade integration, climate resilience and sustainable development, and people-to-people connectivity. He stressed the importance of strengthening maritime security, countering piracy, and enhancing disaster response mechanisms. Investments in transport infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and digital connectivity, were deemed essential for boosting intra-regional trade and linking the BIMSTEC region with the broader Indo-Pacific.
He also emphasized the importance of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in increasing trade and investment flows. On climate resilience, he called for joint initiatives in disaster preparedness, renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries to safeguard livelihoods and ecosystems. He mentioned that the BIMSTEC Energy Centre could play a key role in facilitating regional cooperation on clean energy transitions.
Acknowledging challenges, Dr. Singh pointed to the lack of a strong institutional framework, slow decision-making, overlapping regional groupings, geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and limited private sector involvement. He urged BIMSTEC to strengthen its institutional mechanisms for efficient decision-making and policy implementation and advocated for greater coordination with ASEAN and other regional frameworks.
In conclusion, Dr. Singh called on BIMSTEC nations to reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful, secure, and interconnected Indian Ocean region. He emphasized the need for stronger cooperation in maritime security, trade, climate resilience, and cultural exchange to build a resilient and prosperous future. He urged BIMSTEC to transform into a true engine of growth and cooperation, reinforcing regional prosperity and stability.
