BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION (BIMSTEC)

INTRODUCTION
BIMSTEC is a regional organisation that connects South Asia and Southeast Asia through cooperation around the Bay of Bengal. For beginners in International Relations, BIMSTEC helps in understanding sub-regionalism, regional connectivity, and India’s neighbourhood and Act East policies. From an OPSC prelims perspective, BIMSTEC is a high-frequency static topic due to questions on its origin, membership, objectives, sectors of cooperation, and institutional structure.

ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND
• Established in 1997
• Initially formed as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation)
• Myanmar joined later in 1997
• Renamed as BIMSTEC in 2004 after Nepal and Bhutan joined
• Created to promote economic and technical cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region

HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBERSHIP
• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Total members: 7 countries

Member countries:
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand

OBJECTIVES OF BIMSTEC
• Promote economic growth and social development
• Enhance regional connectivity
• Facilitate trade, investment and tourism
• Promote cooperation in technology and innovation
• Strengthen regional stability and cooperation

SECTORS OF COOPERATION (IMPORTANT FOR PRELIMS)
BIMSTEC has identified multiple sectors of cooperation, including:
• Trade, Investment and Development
• Transport and Communication
• Energy
• Tourism
• Fisheries
• Agriculture
• Public Health
• Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime
• Environment and Climate Change

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
• BIMSTEC Summit – highest decision-making body
• Ministerial Meetings
• Senior Officials’ Meetings
• BIMSTEC Secretariat headed by Secretary-General

KEY AGREEMENTS AND INITIATIVES
• BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (under negotiation)
• BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Master Plan
• BIMSTEC Energy Grid Interconnection
• BIMSTEC Charter (adopted in 2022)

INDIA AND BIMSTEC
• India is a founding and leading member
• BIMSTEC aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies
• India focuses on connectivity, security and development cooperation
• BIMSTEC seen as an alternative to SAARC

CURRENT RELEVANCE
• Adoption of BIMSTEC Charter strengthened institutional framework
• Increased focus on regional connectivity projects
• Growing importance due to SAARC stagnation

PRELIMS NOTES AND COMMON CONFUSIONS
• BIMSTEC excludes Pakistan
• BIMSTEC links South Asia and Southeast Asia
• BIMSTEC is sector-driven, not treaty-heavy
• BIMSTEC Secretariat is located in Dhaka

CONCLUSION
BIMSTEC has emerged as a key sub-regional organisation bridging South and Southeast Asia. For OPSC prelims, it is an essential static topic because of its clear membership and growing relevance. A sound understanding of BIMSTEC helps beginners answer MCQs related to regional cooperation and India’s strategic priorities.

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Subject: International Relation

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