{"id":161602,"date":"2025-04-09T20:36:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=editorial-analysis&#038;p=161602"},"modified":"2025-04-09T20:46:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:16:54","slug":"regional-revival-on-bimstec-summit","status":"publish","type":"editorial-analysis","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/regional-revival-on-bimstec-summit","title":{"rendered":"A Regional Revival: On the BIMSTEC Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Indian Prime Minister participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand under its chairmanship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Origin and Purpose:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Initially conceived as a <\/span><b>bridging mechanism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between <\/span><b>South Asia&#8217;s SAARC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Southeast Asia&#8217;s ASEAN<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> countries, BIMSTEC has faced challenges in fulfilling its purpose due to political differences and lack of direction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Historical Stagnation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>collapse of India-Pakistan relations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> post-2014 significantly impacted <\/span><b>SAARC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8216;s effectiveness, stalling its progress<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sub-regional grouping also faced hurdles, particularly after <\/span><b>Bhutan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rejected the <\/span><b>Motor Vehicles Agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reigniting BIMSTEC: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>sixth BIMSTEC summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, held in <\/span><b>Bangkok<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, provided an opportunity to reenergize the regional initiative amidst growing global turbulence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Overcoming Challenges: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite disruptions, including an <\/span><b>earthquake in Myanmar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Thailand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the summit proved resilient, facilitating the adoption of several significant agreements.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>COVID-19 pandemic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had delayed the summit&#8217;s objective of a bi-annual meeting schedule, but the meeting was ultimately held, proving its relevance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Outcomes and Areas of Cooperation<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A <\/span><b>new chamber of commerce<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was established to foster economic collaboration and facilitate trade among member countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infrastructure Development: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This ambitious project aims to connect India&#8217;s <\/span><b>North-East<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> region (projected as a <\/span><b>BIMSTEC &#8220;hub&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to the <\/span><b>Pacific Ocean<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enhancing connectivity and regional integration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Customs Agreements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Plans for a <\/span><b>FTA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>customs cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were outlined, aiming to boost intra-regional trade and streamline cross-border transactions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Disaster Management Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region is prone to frequent <\/span><b>natural disasters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making the <\/span><b>joint disaster management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mechanism a critical area for cooperation to mitigate the impact of such calamities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Long-Term Vision:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The summit adopted the <\/span><b>Vision 2030 document<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which lays out strategic goals for regional cooperation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>India- Bangladesh Leaders interaction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite months of <\/span><b>acrimony<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over issues like <\/span><b>minority treatment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>border killings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and former Prime Minister <\/span><b>Sheikh Hasina&#8217;s stay in India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both leaders took the opportunity to <\/span><b>air grievances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and engage in constructive dialogue.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modi emphasized that <\/span><b>&#8220;rhetoric&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between neighbours must be avoided, urging a more <\/span><b>pragmatic approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to resolving bilateral tensions. This sentiment needs to be reciprocated in <\/span><b>Dhaka and Delhi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India- Nepal: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The meeting with <\/span><b>Nepal&#8217;s leader<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> came after months of tensions following <\/span><b>India\u2019s refusal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to issue an <\/span><b>invite<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Mr. Oli.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is hoped that these exchanges will lead to an <\/span><b>early visit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Mr. Oli and provide opportunities for the <\/span><b>resolution of outstanding issues<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Myanmar\u2019s Participation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inclusion of <\/span><b>Myanmar\u2019s Prime Minister General Min Aung Hlaing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was a <\/span><b>special diplomatic gesture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the BIMSTEC grouping.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prime Minister Modi <\/span><b>counselled<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Gen. Min and Mr. Yunus on the need to <\/span><b>restore democratic processes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>Myanmar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Bangladesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure BIMSTEC&#8217;s <\/span><b>success<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is vital that member states actively <\/span><b>engage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>resolve differences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and avoid letting the grouping fall into the same pitfalls as <\/span><b>SAARC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.9693%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Mains Practice<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/examine-the-evolution-of-bimstec-as-a-regional-grouping-in-south-asia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q. In light of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, critically examine the evolution of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BIMSTEC as a regional grouping in South Asia. How does it differ from SAARC in terms of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">its challenges and potential for fostering regional cooperation? (15 Marks, 250 Words)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indian Prime Minister participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand under its chairmanship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":161575,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2102],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/161602"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/editorial-analysis"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161602"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/161602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":161605,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/161602\/revisions\/161605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161602"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=161602"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=161602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}