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UPSC Notes-BIMSTEC

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August 2, 2024

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BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation): Comprehensive Notes for UPSC Preparation

Introduction

1. Establishment:
   • BIMSTEC was established on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.
   • It is a regional organization comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
2. Objective:
   • To promote technical and economic cooperation among countries lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.
   • Focus on sectors like trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, and climate change.

Member Countries

• South Asia:
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Nepal
  • Sri Lanka
• Southeast Asia:
  • Myanmar
  • Thailand

Key Objectives and Principles

1. Economic Growth:
   • Accelerate economic growth and social progress in the region through joint endeavors in a spirit of equality and partnership.
2. Cooperation:
   • Promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in areas of common interest.
3. Development:
   • Provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in educational, professional, and technical fields.
4. Peace and Stability:
   • Maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

Areas of Cooperation

1. Trade and Investment:
   • Facilitate free trade among member countries to enhance economic integration.
   • Promote investment and industrial development.
2. Transport and Communication:
   • Improve connectivity through better transport and communication networks.
   • Enhance regional connectivity for seamless movement of goods and people.
3. Energy:
   • Promote cooperation in the energy sector, including renewable energy.
   • Ensure energy security through collaborative projects.
4. Tourism:
   • Develop tourism infrastructure and promote the region as a single tourist destination.
   • Facilitate sustainable tourism practices.
5. Fisheries:
   • Promote sustainable management of marine resources.
   • Enhance cooperation in the fisheries sector to improve livelihoods.
6. Agriculture:
   • Develop agriculture through the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
   • Address food security issues collectively.
7. Public Health:
   • Collaborate on public health issues and improve healthcare infrastructure.
   • Address pandemics and other health crises together.
8. Environment and Disaster Management:
   • Cooperate on environmental protection and climate change mitigation.
   • Enhance disaster preparedness and management.

Institutional Structure

1. Summit Meeting:
   • The highest policymaking body, consisting of heads of state/government of member countries.
   • Meets every two years to provide direction and review progress.
2. Ministerial Meeting:
   • Comprises foreign ministers of member countries.
   • Provides strategic guidance and oversees the implementation of decisions.
3. Senior Officials’ Meeting:
   • Includes senior officials from member countries.
   • Prepares the agenda for ministerial meetings and follows up on decisions.
4. Permanent Secretariat:
   • Established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2014.
   • Facilitates the implementation of BIMSTEC activities and projects.

Achievements and Initiatives

1. BIMSTEC Free Trade Area Framework Agreement:
   • Signed in 2004 to enhance intra-regional trade and investment.
2. BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Master Plan:
   • A comprehensive plan to improve transport infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
3. Energy Cooperation:
   • Initiatives like the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India to promote collaboration in the energy sector.
4. Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime:
   • Cooperation on security issues, including counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and transnational crimes.

Challenges

1. Political and Economic Differences:
   • Diverse political systems and economic conditions of member countries pose challenges to cooperation and integration.
2. Connectivity Issues:
   • Inadequate infrastructure and connectivity hinder the seamless movement of goods and people.
3. Resource Constraints:
   • Limited financial and technical resources affect the implementation of projects and initiatives.
4. Overlapping Memberships:
   • Member countries’ involvement in other regional organizations like SAARC and ASEAN can lead to divided attention and resources.

India’s Role and Perspective

1. Strategic Importance:
   • BIMSTEC is crucial for India’s “Act East Policy” and its strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal region.
   • Enhances India’s connectivity with Southeast Asia and promotes regional integration.
2. Economic Cooperation:
   • India actively participates in BIMSTEC’s initiatives to enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
   • Promotes regional connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway.
3. Security Cooperation:
   • Collaborates with member countries on security issues, including counter-terrorism, maritime security, and disaster management.
4. Capacity Building:
   • Provides technical and financial assistance to member countries for capacity building and development projects.

Recent Developments

1. 4th BIMSTEC Summit:
   • Held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018, focusing on connectivity, trade, and security cooperation.
2. 5th BIMSTEC Summit:
   • Scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a focus on strengthening cooperation and finalizing key agreements.
3. BIMSTEC Charter:
   • Adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter to formalize the institutional framework and provide a legal identity to the organization.
4. BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement:
   • Proposed agreement to enhance maritime connectivity and trade among member countries.