BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

General Studies Paper-2

Context: Recently, India hosted the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in New Delhi, carrying particular weight given the major developments unfolding in neighbouring Myanmar.

About the BIMSTEC

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organisation that was established with the aim of accelerating shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
• It was founded as BIST-EC, in 1997, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand as members.
• It became BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) with the entry of Myanmar in late 1997, and eventually, it was named in its current form, when Nepal and Bhutan became members in 2004.
• It focuses on Trade & Investment (facilitating commerce and economic ties); Transport & Communication (enhancing connectivity across borders); Energy (collaborating on energy security and sustainability); Tourism (promoting cultural exchange and tourism); Technology (sharing knowledge and innovation); Fisheries & Agriculture (ensuring food security); Public Health (addressing health challenges together); Poverty Alleviation (lifting communities out of poverty); Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime (strengthening security); Environment & Disaster Management and Climate Change (protecting our planet); People-to-People Contact; and Cultural Cooperation.

BIMSTEC’s Regional Challenges

• India emphasised that the seven-member BIMSTEC should seek solutions to regional challenges from within the organisation itself, and highlighted that BIMSTEC’s complementary and congenial membership should aspire to higher goals.
• The organisation faces long standing goals such as capacity building and economic cooperation, which have now acquired renewed urgency.

Myanmar’s Instability and Regional Instability

• The ongoing crisis in Myanmar poses significant challenges for BIMSTEC. Instability in Myanmar has raised questions about developmental and connectivity projects aimed at strengthening ties among member countries.
• The military Junta in Myanmar recently lost control of Naungcho, a major town along a trade highway to China in the northern Shan State. This development directly affects connectivity and trade routes in the region.
• BIMSTEC’s discussions focused on crucial connectivity projects and border stability, while maintaining the cautious stance regarding the Myanmar crisis.

Other Challenges and Related Solutions

• Sluggish Progress and Efficiency: One of the major challenges BIMSTEC encounters is the perceived lack of efficiency and slow progress. Critics often highlight that the organisation hasn’t moved as swiftly as desired in achieving its objectives.
• The inconsistency in policy-making and implementation across member countries contributes to this sluggishness. Harmonising diverse national interests and priorities can be quite the jigsaw puzzle.
• Political Commitment: BIMSTEC’s advancement is hindered by varying levels of political commitment from member countries’ leaders. Larger nations sometimes fail to consistently demonstrate strong dedication to driving the organisation’s agenda forward.
  • Simultaneously, smaller countries may not always prioritise BIMSTEC on their own national agendas, leading to uneven commitment levels.
• Resource Constraints and Capacity Building: BIMSTEC operates with limited resources, which affects its ability to implement projects effectively. Enhancing institutional capacity and resource allocation is crucial.
  • Strengthening technical expertise, promoting research, and building human capital within the organisation are essential steps.
• Connectivity and Infrastructure Gaps: Despite being a regional grouping, BIMSTEC faces challenges related to physical connectivity. Improving transport links, energy grids, and digital infrastructure remains a priority.
  • Bridging gaps in connectivity will enhance trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
• Harmonising Diverse Interests: BIMSTEC comprises countries with varying economic sizes, political systems, and development levels. Balancing these diverse interests while pursuing common goals requires adept diplomacy.
  • Finding consensus on issues like trade facilitation, counterterrorism, and disaster management can be intricate.

Conclusion

• The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat provided an opportunity for member countries to address regional challenges, especially in light of Myanmar’s ongoing crisis. As the organisation seeks solutions, it remains crucial to balance economic cooperation, stability, and humanitarian concerns.