On April 3-4, 2025, the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, marked a defining moment for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Amid the backdrop of a region housing 1.73 billion people and a $5.2 trillion GDP, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a transformative 21-point action plan to turbocharge cooperation among the seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Dubbed a roadmap for a “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC,” the plan spans trade, technology, security, and youth engagement. But what does it entail, and why does it matter? Here’s a deep dive.
Setting the Stage: The Bangkok Summit
BIMSTEC, founded in 1997, has long been a quieter player in regional diplomacy, overshadowed by giants like ASEAN or SAARC. Yet, the Bangkok Summit—its first in-person gathering in seven years—signaled a renewed push for relevance. Hosted by Thailand under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open,” the event saw leaders like Modi, Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus, and Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra adopt the Bangkok Vision 2030 and a Maritime Transportation Agreement. Modi’s 21-point plan stole the show, reflecting India’s leadership in steering BIMSTEC toward actionable outcomes.
MUST READ: Explainer: What is BIMSTEC, and Why Does It Matter?
MUST READ: BIMSTEC at a Crossroads: Can the Bay of Bengal Bloc Seize Its Moment?
The 21-Point Action Plan: What’s Inside?
Modi’s proposal is a sweeping blueprint covering economic, technological, security, and cultural priorities. While the full list hasn’t been exhaustively detailed in public statements, key highlights from his address and summit outcomes reveal its scope:
- Economic Integration
- BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce: A new body to foster business-to-business ties.
- Annual BIMSTEC Business Summit: A platform for trade alignment.
- Trade in Local Currencies: A feasibility study to reduce dollar dependency.
- Digital Transformation
- UPI Linkage: Connecting India’s Unified Payments Interface with BIMSTEC payment systems to boost trade and tourism.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A pilot study to share India’s DPI expertise, enhancing regional tech capabilities.
- Disaster Management
- Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management: Based in India to strengthen relief and rehabilitation.
- Fourth Joint Exercise: Scheduled for 2025 in India to improve disaster response coordination.
- Security Cooperation
- First Home Ministers’ Meeting: To be held in India, tackling cybercrime, terrorism, and trafficking.
- Space Collaboration: Ground stations, nano-satellite launches, and remote sensing for regional planning.
- Capacity Building
- BODHI Initiative: Training 300 BIMSTEC youths annually in India.
- Scholarships: For students at India’s Forest Research Institute and Nalanda University.
- Diplomat Training: Annual programs for young BIMSTEC diplomats.
- Cancer Care: Tata Memorial Centre to support training.
- Energy and Sustainability
- BIMSTEC Energy Centre: Now operational in Bengaluru for youth training.
- Electric Grid Interconnection: Faster progress on regional energy links.
- Youth and Cultural Ties
- Young Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon, and Visitors Program: Launching in 2025 to engage youth.
- BIMSTEC Athletics Meet: Hosted by India in 2025.
- BIMSTEC Games: Planned for 2027, marking the bloc’s 30th anniversary.
- Traditional Music Festival: A 2025 event in India to deepen cultural bonds.
- Maritime Focus
- Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre: In India, to advance research and policy coordination.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The plan isn’t just a wishlist—it’s a strategic pivot. For India, it’s a chance to flex its regional leadership, especially with SAARC sidelined since 2014. Modi’s emphasis on connectivity and security aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies, countering China’s growing influence via the Belt and Road Initiative. The Bay of Bengal, handling 25% of global trade, is a geopolitical prize, and BIMSTEC could unlock its potential—think faster highways, cheaper shipping, and a unified digital economy.
For smaller members like Nepal and Bhutan, the plan offers access to maritime trade and tech know-how. Thailand and Myanmar gain a bridge to South Asia’s markets, diversifying beyond ASEAN. Bangladesh, taking the chairmanship post-summit, could leverage its Dhaka-based secretariat to drive trade and the blue economy.
The Catch: Execution Challenges
BIMSTEC’s history is littered with grand ideas but sluggish follow-through. The FTA, proposed in 2004, remains unfinished. Projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway drag on, hampered by funding and instability (e.g., Myanmar’s civil war). The secretariat’s lean staff—seven directors—struggles to coordinate seven nations with varying capacities. Bilateral tensions, like the Rohingya issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh, could also derail unity.
Modi’s plan demands resources and resolve. India’s $1 million grant is a start, but it’s dwarfed by China’s regional investments. Deadlines—like hosting the Athletics Meet in 2025—will test BIMSTEC’s ability to move from talk to action.
What’s at Stake?
If executed, the 21-point plan could make BIMSTEC a linchpin between South and Southeast Asia. Trade could surge (currently just 7% of members’ total trade), disaster resilience could save lives (13% of global cyclones hit the Bay), and youth programs could forge a shared identity. Failure, however, risks relegating BIMSTEC to a footnote, outshone by ASEAN’s $3.6 trillion economy or China’s deep pockets.
The Bottom Line
As of April 4, 2025, Modi’s 21-point action plan has injected BIMSTEC with ambition and urgency. It’s a bold bid to harness the Bay of Bengal’s economic and strategic might, but success isn’t guaranteed. With Bangladesh now at the helm and India pushing hard, the next few years will reveal whether BIMSTEC can finally deliver—or remain a promising but unfulfilled idea.