BIMSTEC Summit 2018-Kathmandu Declaration

Fourth BIMSTEC Summit was concluded recently in Kathmandu, Nepal. Remarkable progress in reforming the structural and procedural framework although concerns remain there. BIMSTEC consists of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. Drafting a charter for BIMSTEC.

  • Plan to set up a Permanent Working Committee.
  • The PWC will be responsible for preparing the Rules of Procedure for the BIMSTEC summits.
  • At present there are 16 areas of cooperation between the member states, making it too wide a spectrum.

Administrative Initiatives

  • The Bangkok Declaration of 1997.
  • Outcomes of the past three summits.
  • The Leaders Retreat in 2016.

Thailand՚s new strategy to for five pillars

  • Connectivity
  • Trade and investment
  • People-to-people contacts
  • Security
  • Science and technology

Major Outcomes

  • Focus on terrorism i.e. those states and non-state actors who are backing terror.
  • Targeting terrorists, terror organisations and networks.

Identification of the accountable states and non-state entities

  • Encourage, support or finance terrorism.
  • Focusing the importance of multidimensional connectivity.

An MoU was signed on establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection.

  • Provides for optimization of using energy resources in the region.
  • Also facilitates promotion of efficient and secure operation of power system.

India՚s Role

  • A strong pitch for enhanced regional connectivity.
  • Also expressed its commitment to working with the members on combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
  • Called for “cooperation and coordination” in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
  • Expressed its commitment to enhance its national knowledge network.
  • Plan to extend digital connectivity to Myanmar and Thailand apart from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
  • Plan to set up Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at the Nalanda University.
  • To promote research on art, culture and other subjects in the Bay of Bengal.
  • India will also host the International Buddhist Conclave in 2020.

Examrace Team at Aug 21, 2021