India hosts BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers.
Background of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Meeting
- Territorial Control by EAOs: The meeting is significant as it occurs amidst major developments in Myanmar, where the military junta faces setbacks against various Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).
- Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) have gained control over trade routes and territories near Myanmar’s international borders.
- First retreat since BIMSTEC Charter: This retreat is the first of its kind since the BIMSTEC Charter came into effect on May 20.
- Milestone in Evolution of the BIMSTEC: The implementation of the Charter marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the organisation.
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Key Takeaways
- Urgency to find internal solutions:It was highlighted in the meeting that there is the need for BIMSTEC members to find solutions among themselves due to global and regional developments.
- Emphasis on long term goals: Emphasis was placed on long standing goals like capacity building and economic cooperation have become more urgent.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC):
- Establishment: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
- Members: SAARC comprises of eight member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan ,India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
- Principal Organs of Cooperation:
- Meeting of Heads of State or Government: Held at the Summit level annually.
- Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries: Monitors and coordinates cooperation, sets priorities, mobilises resources, and approves projects and financing.
- Secretariat: Established in Kathmandu on January 16, 1987.
- Coordinates and monitors SAARC activities, services association meetings, and facilitates communication with international organisations.
BIMSTEC Vs SAARC
- Geographic Focus:
- Both SAARC and BIMSTEC focus on regions that overlap geographically.
- Organisational Scope:
- SAARC is a purely regional organisation.
- BIMSTEC is interregional, bridging South Asia and ASEAN.
- Complementary Functions and Goals: SAARC and BIMSTEC complement each other in terms of their functions and goals.
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- Areas for cooperation: Priority in talks was given to Connectivity projects, border stability and humanitarian assistance.
- Countering transnational crimes, including cybercrime, narcotics, and illegal arms, is a shared priority for India, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Impact of Myanmar Developments on BIMSTEC
- Instability in Myanmar poses a significant challenge for BIMSTEC: Ongoing unrest threatens numerous developmental and connectivity projects aimed at strengthening ties among Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.
- Recent Setbacks:
- A day before the beginning of the meeting in Delhi, the military junta in Naypyidaw lost control of Naungcho, a major town along a trade highway to China in the northern Shan State, to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
India’s Stance on Humanitarian Assistance in Myanmar
- No clarification yet: The Ministry of External Affairs of India is yet to clarify if India will extend humanitarian assistance to the affected civilian population inside Myanmar.
- Current Assistance Efforts: Till now, assistance has been limited to the displaced population and personnel of the Myanmar military who sought refuge in Mizoram.
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Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
- Background:
- Adoption of the Bangkok Declaration: It was founded as BIST-EC, in June 1997, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand as members.
- Entry of Myanmar: It became BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) with the entry of Myanmar in late 1997.
- Membership of Nepal and Bhutan: It was named in its current form, when Nepal and Bhutan became members in 2004.
- About: BIMSTEC is a multilateral regional organisation established with the aim of accelerating shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
- Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Membership: It has a total of seven member countries:
- Five from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka;
- Two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.
- Founding Principles of the BIMSTEC:
- Principle of sovereign equality
- Territorial integrity
- Political independence
- Non-interference in internal affairs
- Peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit
- Distinctive Features of BIMSTEC:
- Sector-Driven Organisation: Unlike SAARC or ASEAN, BIMSTEC operates as a sector-driven organisation.
- Division of Responsibilities: Goals and areas of cooperation are divided among member states.
- Example: India has previously been responsible for sectors such as transportation, tourism, and counter-terrorism within BIMSTEC.
- Working Mechanism of BIMSTEC:
- Under BIMSTEC, Policy making would be done through two types of meetings:
- Summits, which are supposed to be held every two years;
- Ministerial meetings of Foreign and Commerce Ministers of member countries for deciding on trade and economic affairs, to be held once every year.
- An operational meeting of senior officials to monitor the activities of the grouping is also supposed to be held twice a year.
- BIMSTEC Working Group: BIMSTEC has a coordinating body called the BIMSTEC Working Group, which has a rotating chairman based on which member country chairs the organisation.
- Under this, meetings are to be held monthly at the Dhaka secretariat to review the progress of the regional grouping.
- Business Forum & Economic Forum: It ensures active participation of the private sector.
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July 12, 2024