Recently, Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts are centered around providing relief to Myanmar following a devastating earthquake, which has also impacted Thailand

• The other BIMSTEC members — Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka — are working collaboratively to mitigate the disaster’s effects.

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

• Charter : BIMSTEC, established in 1997, received its charter in 2022, strengthening its role in international diplomacy. 
• Vision Document: At the 2024 summit in Bangkok, a vision document will outline new initiatives, including maritime connectivity, marking a pivotal moment for BIMSTEC’s full international recognition.
• Revitalizing BIMSTEC : The focus on BIMSTEC emerged after the failure of SAARC in 2014, partly due to Pakistan’s withdrawal over opposition to regional cooperation with India. 
  • The Indian government shifted towards BIMSTEC, leading to a better-functioning regional framework.

Geopolitical Landscape of Bay of Bengal

• Historical Context: The British Raj unified the Bay of Bengal’s littoral, extending its influence across Burma, Singapore, and the Malacca Strait. This dominance has faded, with Britain’s decline and Japan’s rise in the early 20th century, impacting the Bay’s geopolitical significance.
• Geopolitical Decline: After WWII, Britain’s strategic role in the Bay of Bengal diminished, and the competition between America and the Russo-Chinese bloc shifted to the Pacific. 
• Partition of Bengal: The partition of Bengal and internal regional conflicts further diminished the Bay’s significance in great power politics.
• China’s Rising Influence: With China’s growing maritime presence, the Bay of Bengal has once again become a contested zone. This development highlights the strategic importance of the region in global geopolitics.
• Economic Policies: Both India and Myanmar pursued inward-looking policies after independence, distancing the Bay of Bengal from global trade flows. 
  • However, India’s economic reforms in the 1990s and the end of Myanmar’s economic isolation sparked hopes for regional integration, which remain unfulfilled due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Challenges to BIMSTEC Regionalism

• Lack of Mutual Trust: Despite no veto power for any member, BIMSTEC has struggled to reach the level of mutual trust seen in ASEAN. 
• Bilateral Disputes: Regional cooperation is hindered by bilateral disputes such as those between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and India-Bangladesh tensions following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina.
• Myanmar’s Weakened Territorial Control: Myanmar’s weakened control over its territory impacts a core BIMSTEC objective — realizing Myanmar’s potential as a land bridge between South and Southeast Asia, thus impeding deeper regional integration.

India’s Strategic Approach to Revitalizing BIMSTEC

• Institutional Building: India must continue to support the development of BIMSTEC institutions to drive economic integration, amidst global economic disruption.
• Regional Trade Relations: As India seeks to strengthen regional trade relations, maintaining and enhancing BIMSTEC cooperation remains key to ensuring economic stability in the region.
• Engagement with Individual Countries: India should complement regional efforts by pursuing enhanced bilateral trade and connectivity with BIMSTEC members.
  • Engaging with Thailand and Sri Lanka, two key members, will be crucial for maintaining momentum in the forum.
• Mitigating Bangladesh-India Tensions: Efforts must be made to minimize damage to relations with Bangladesh, especially under the leadership of the Muhammad Yunus regime.
• Unilateral Initiatives: Thailand’s decision to offer visa-free entry for Indian travellers has demonstrated the power of unilateral actions. 
  • Such independent policies can significantly enhance bilateral engagement and should be pursued alongside multilateral efforts.
• Economic Leverage: India, with a $4 trillion economy, should leverage its asymmetric relationship with BIMSTEC neighbors to initiate unilateral policies that will foster deeper economic ties.
• Development of of A&N Islands: Developing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a major regional economic and maritime security hub is vital for reinforcing India’s leadership in the Bay of Bengal.
• Modernizing Maritime Infrastructure: Strengthening ports and related infrastructure along the eastern seaboard and improving seafaring regulations will ensure the region’s maritime security and ease of doing maritime business, making it a focal point of Bay of Bengal regionalism.

Conclusion

India must balance pragmatism and regional leadership, ensuring a stable and integrated region amid growing global competition. This strategy of fostering regional cooperation and leveraging unilateral power is key to transforming the Bay of Bengal littoral into a more connected, secure, and prosperous space for all its nations.

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