BIMSTEC Summit: Maritime agreement, and adopting Bangkok Vision 2030 are top agenda items, says Indra Mani Pandey

The upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, set for April 3-4, will mark a significant milestone with the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030. This strategic vision aims to enhance regional cooperation among the seven-member grouping, which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

“Our leaders will be adopting a summit declaration, and for the first time, a vision for BIMSTEC called BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030,” said Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC.

According to Pandey, a key development at the summit will be the signing of a maritime transport cooperation agreement. This agreement is expected to improve maritime connectivity by enhancing port access, easing customs and immigration procedures, and strengthening port infrastructure among member states. “The Bay of Bengal is a maritime domain, and that’s why enhancing maritime connectivity is crucial,” Pandey noted. He added that India has taken the lead by proposing a Maritime Transport Centre of Excellence, which will serve as a hub for research, policy development, and capacity-building in the sector.

Discussions on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will also feature prominently at the summit. While negotiations have been ongoing for years, no agreement is expected to be signed during this meeting. However, leaders are likely to issue a fresh directive to expedite talks. “Negotiations are complex due to differing perspectives among member states, but our leaders will again push for their early conclusion,” Pandey explained.

Another area of focus will be digital public infrastructure, where India has offered assistance to BIMSTEC members. “We have started working on digital cooperation, particularly in digital public infrastructure, and India is ready to support member states in this domain,” Pandey said.

Additionally, the summit will see leaders reviewing the report submitted by the Eminent Persons Group, which worked throughout 2024 to provide recommendations for BIMSTEC’s future course. The report’s findings will help shape policy decisions and institutional reforms within the organisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok for the summit also highlights India’s commitment to the “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies. His official bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra is expected to further strengthen India-Thailand ties while reinforcing India’s role in regional cooperation. This summit, the first in-person BIMSTEC leaders’ meeting since 2018, is anticipated to set the stage for a more integrated and cooperative Bay of Bengal region.

Watch accompanying video for entire conversation.