India’s proactive role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has emerged as a cornerstone of its regional diplomacy, particularly following the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025. With a focus on fostering economic integration, security collaboration, and cultural ties, India continues to leverage BIMSTEC as a platform for bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia while addressing shared challenges in the region.

India’s Strategic Vision for BIMSTEC

India’s leadership in BIMSTEC aligns with its Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, which prioritize regional connectivity and cooperation. As the largest economy in the bloc, India has consistently championed initiatives to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance trade and investment, and address security concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described BIMSTEC as a “natural platform” for regional integration, emphasizing its strategic importance under India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.

During the summit, India reiterated its commitment to fostering prosperity and resilience in the Bay of Bengal region by announcing several initiatives aimed at capacity-building, disaster management, maritime cooperation, and digital integration.

Key Contributions at the Bangkok Summit

Economic Integration

India proposed several measures to boost economic collaboration among BIMSTEC nations:

• Establishing a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce to facilitate business networking.
• Hosting an annual BIMSTEC Business Summit to promote trade and investment.
• Exploring trade in local currencies to reduce dependency on external financial systems.
• Linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with payment systems of member states to enhance cross-border commerce and tourism.

These initiatives aim to create seamless economic linkages across member countries while supporting intra-regional trade.

Security Cooperation

India emphasized its role as a “net security provider” in the Indo-Pacific by proposing mechanisms to combat terrorism, cyber threats, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. The institutionalization of BIMSTEC’s Home Ministers’ Mechanism was welcomed as a step toward deeper collaboration on transnational security issues.

Additionally, India offered to host the first meeting of this mechanism and proposed setting up centers of excellence focused on disaster management and maritime security.

Maritime Collaboration

The signing of the Maritime Transport Agreement during the summit marked a significant milestone for regional connectivity. India proposed establishing a Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre to advance research, innovation, and policy coordination on maritime security.

Cultural Diplomacy

To strengthen people-to-people ties, India announced initiatives such as:

• Hosting a BIMSTEC Athletics Meet and Traditional Music Festival.
• Organizing a Young Leaders’ Summit and Hackathon to engage youth across member states.
• Sending Lord Buddha’s relics to Thailand as part of cultural outreach efforts.

These measures aim to deepen cultural connections while fostering mutual understanding among BIMSTEC nations.

Challenges Facing BIMSTEC

Despite India’s leadership efforts, BIMSTEC faces several hurdles:

1. Slow Progress on Agreements: Key initiatives like the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have seen delays due to differing priorities among member states.
2. Institutional Weaknesses: The bloc lacks sufficient funding and staffing for its Secretariat, limiting its operational capacity.
3. Geopolitical Tensions: Internal instability in Myanmar and border issues between member nations pose obstacles to cooperation.
4. China’s Influence: Growing Chinese investments in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand challenge India’s strategic dominance in the region.

Conclusion

India’s leadership within BIMSTEC highlights its strategic vision for regional integration while addressing geopolitical challenges in the Bay of Bengal region. By driving initiatives that enhance economic connectivity, security collaboration, and cultural ties, India is positioning BIMSTEC as a dynamic force for regional growth.

However, achieving BIMSTEC’s full potential requires stronger political will from all member states, accelerated progress on agreements like the FTA, and institutional reforms. If implemented effectively under India’s stewardship, BIMSTEC could redefine regional diplomacy and economic partnerships across South Asia and Southeast Asia.