Sri Lanka will host the Fourth BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting and Senior Officials’ Meeting on 17 and 18 March 2027, following Cabinet approval of a proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi‑Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, with its prime objective being the promotion of economic cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.

Agriculture, a major source of income for BIMSTEC member states, has been included as a key area of cooperation due to its importance for sustainable development and regional food security. 

The Agriculture Ministers’ and Senior Officials’ Meetings are held every two years, with Sri Lanka now set to host the fourth edition. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has engaged in bilateral discussions with the Prime Ministers of Bhutan and Nepal, on the sidelines of the 06th BIMSTEC Summit held in Thailand. 

According to the PM’s Office, PM Harini Amarasuriya is currently in Bangkok, Thailand, attending the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and participating in “Invest Sri Lanka” promotional events aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and attracting investment to Sri Lanka.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Prime Minister engaged in bilateral discussions with the Prime Ministers of Bhutan and Nepal, focusing on enhancing collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation and regional connectivity.

As part of economic outreach initiatives, PM Amarasuriya addressed the “Invest Sri Lanka” Business Forum, jointly organized with the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce. The forum served as a platform to highlight Sri Lanka’s investment opportunities and foster stronger commercial ties between Sri Lanka and Thailand.

In recognition of longstanding cultural and religious ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister also visited the historic Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok, where she was welcomed by the Abbot, Most Ven. Pra Dhammavajirapanyaacarya.

Later, PM Amarasuriya participated in an official dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra in honour of visiting BIMSTEC leaders. The high-level BIMSTEC Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled to take place today.

This visit marks an important step forward in Sri Lanka’s regional diplomacy, reaffirming the country’s commitment to meaningful engagement within the BIMSTEC framework while promoting investment and cultural diplomacy, the PM’s Office added. (Newswire)

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The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) stands at a pivotal juncture as it convenes its 6th Summit from April 2-4, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. This gathering underscores the growing significance of BIMSTEC in fostering regional integration and collaboration among its seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. With a combined population exceeding 1.7 billion and a collective GDP of over $5 trillion, BIMSTEC embodies a formidable economic bloc poised to influence the evolving global order.

BIMSTEC’s significance in the regional and global context

Established in 1997, BIMSTEC serves as a bridge connecting South and Southeast Asia, focusing on multifaceted cooperation across 14 priority sectors, including trade and investment, transport and communication, energy, and counter-terrorism. This broad spectrum of collaboration reflects the organization’s commitment to addressing shared challenges and harnessing collective strengths. The forthcoming summit, themed “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC,” aims to adopt the Bangkok Vision 2030—a strategic roadmap outlining long-term goals for economic cooperation, environmental sustainability, and regional security. 

India, as the largest economy and a founding member of BIMSTEC, plays a pivotal role in steering the organization’s agenda. The country’s “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies align seamlessly with BIMSTEC’s objectives, emphasizing regional connectivity and integration. India’s commitment is evident through its leadership in various sectors:

• Security and Energy: India leads initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation and energy integration. The BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru exemplifies efforts to promote energy collaboration among member states.  
• Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime: India has been instrumental in advancing cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational crimes, recognizing the importance of a secure environment for regional prosperity.  

Furthermore, India’s substantial financial contribution, covering 32% of the BIMSTEC Secretariat’s expenditure in Dhaka, underscores its commitment to the organization’s operational efficacy.

In an era marked by shifting geopolitical dynamics and the reconfiguration of global alliances, BIMSTEC offers a platform for its members to assert their collective influence. India’s proactive engagement within BIMSTEC exemplifies a strategic move towards fostering a multipolar world order, where regional groupings play a crucial role in global governance.

The anticipated signing of the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation during the summit is poised to enhance maritime connectivity across the Bay of Bengal, facilitating smoother cargo and passenger movement. This agreement not only bolsters intra-regional trade but also positions BIMSTEC as a critical player in global maritime logistics. 

Moreover, the collaboration between BIMSTEC and organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reflects a commitment to addressing transnational challenges through cooperative frameworks. These partnerships amplify BIMSTEC’s voice in international forums, contributing to shaping norms and policies that resonate with the collective interests of its member states. 

Challenges and the path forward

Despite its potential, BIMSTEC faces challenges that could impede its progress. The organization’s broad mandate across numerous sectors risks diluting focus and stretching resources thin. Streamlining priorities and ensuring effective implementation mechanisms are essential to translate commitments into tangible outcomes.

India’s leadership is crucial in navigating these challenges. By leveraging its diplomatic influence and economic clout, India can drive consensus-building, enhance institutional capacities, and promote a results-oriented approach within BIMSTEC. Furthermore, fostering people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges can strengthen the foundational ties that underpin regional cooperation.

As BIMSTEC members convene in Bangkok, with India’s Prime Minister Modi attending, the summit represents more than a routine diplomatic engagement; it embodies a collective aspiration for a prosperous and integrated Bay of Bengal region. India’s leadership within BIMSTEC is not merely a reflection of its regional ambitions but a testament to its commitment to collaborative growth and stability. By championing initiatives that promote connectivity, security, and sustainable development, India, alongside its BIMSTEC partners, contributes significantly to shaping a new world order—one that values regional cooperation as a cornerstone of global peace and prosperity.

The author is a writer at Milabalyawmi (Khaleej Times)

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Quiet diplomacy is at work in Myanmar. The holding of the Fourth Annual Meeting of BIMSTEC Security Chiefs without much fanfare sends a strong signal that the instability in Myanmar concerns the entire Bay of Bengal region. That the meeting was held in Myanmar is testimony to the military’s ability to put up a show of strength during turmoil.

However, deep in the military establishment is a concern, informally shared with Indian interlocutors; that China is promoting instability in Myanmar. While officially this was not mentioned anywhere, the realisation that Beijing’s negative role also has implications for India’s security is also a matter of mutual concern for India and Myanmar.

Delivering India’s statement at the BIMSTEC meeting, NSA Doval spoke on strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism; combating drug trafficking, arms smuggling and organised crime; improving BIMSTEC connectivity; holding the 2nd Ports Conclave; and water security of Himalayan river systems. This is one of the first visits by a senior Indian official to Myanmar since the 2021 coup by the military.

The BIMSTEC meeting was convened to strategize and coordinate initiatives crucial to address common security challenges. On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meeting, Doval also met his counterpart in Myanmar, Admiral Moe Aung. Additionally, all the Security Chiefs called on the Senior General Min Aung Hliang.

While the Security Chiefs meeting focused on issues of security of common concern, it is necessary to recall that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTECas it is popularly known has since 1997 provided a platform for countries in the Bay of Bengal region to jointly address issues such as low investments, trade barriers, poverty, and transnational crime. It is in a real sense an economic grouping that seeks to promote integration and growth simultaneously.

The BIMSTEC grouping is important that it covers both land and sea in South Asia and beyond giving the Bay of Bengal region a central salience and link to South-East Asia. Its relevance stems from the ability to forge a consensus on many economic issues ranging from trade to climate change. Pertinently, a huge portion of India’s trade with South Asian countries is facilitated by BIMSTEC

This is thus a very beneficial platform that can help countries expand their trade partnerships with South and Southeast Asia. It is in this context that one needs to understand the latest meeting in Naypyitaw.

The BIMSTEC meeting with the top leadership of the Myanmar government assumes significance since the country has been witnessing widespread violent clashes between rebel forces and the Myanmar military, since the coup on 1 February 2021. Several parts of Myanmar have been witnessing intense fighting and resistance forces have captured several key towns, including most recently Lashio township.

In Myanmar, reports indicate that Ajit Doval did express India concerns about the fallout of the violence and instability in Myanmar during his meeting with his counterpart Admiral Moe Aung. On its part, Myanmar authorities expressed doubts about China’s intentions and expressed concerns about their duplicitous game in playing both sides in the present conflict.

The junta has suffered a series of humiliating military defeats at the hands of resistance forces and People’s Defence Forces subsequent to the launching of a coordinated offensive in October 2023 by a number of armed resistance groups. The offensive is the most significant challenge to the military, and its continuance threatens the military’s hold over large swathes of territory.

Recently, resistance forces have overrun military positions and captured key trading posts on the borders with India.This has increased concerns in New Delhi about the impact of these developments on the north-eastern states. The north-east is already sharing the burden of refugees from Myanmar, and intensified conflict will only see an uptick in inflow of refugees.

There are reports of the military junta recently losing control over vast swathe of territory to rebel and resistance forces. Beijing has played a duplicitous game with Myanmar, providing arms and ammunition to both the government and resistance forces. Recall that in April 2024, Deng Xijun, former Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN was sent as China’s special envoy to Myanmar.

He met with General Min Aung Hlaing and discussed China’s involvement in Myanmar. At that very moment, China also doubled the supply of ammunition and weapons to the resistance forces while providing arms to the military rulers also, assessing that it was best to play both sides.

It is well known that the United Wa State Army is backed, both financially and militarily by China. More recently, the Bamar Peoples Liberation Army (BPLA), backed by China has taken control of large areas of Myanmar, bordering the Indian state of Manipur, notes twitter handle Nepal Correspondence.

The 605th battalion of BPLA is reported to have captured (3 July 2024) the Northeastern HQ (Ramakha) of the Myanmar Army in Lashio. This poses a direct threat to India’s security in the North East. Note that the BPLA is a force fully funded and equipped by China.

In effect then, China has brought the conflict in Myanmar to India’s borders and can choose to escalate the situation when it suits them. This gives them a second front against India other than the Siliguri Corridor which they can anyways threaten militarily anytime thanks to their intrusions in Bhutan and reinforcement of infrastructure in the Chumbi Valley.

Pertinently, developments in Myanmar also directly impinge on Manipur’s internal security. Nepal Correspondence points to the occurrence of serious security incidents in Manipur around this time, which included several incidents of weapons snatching. These weapons were later traced to be in the hands of Peoples Defence Forces in Myanmar.

 Myanmar could look towards BIMSTEC to provide a resolution to the current crisis. This will require deft diplomacy and a willingness to sit at the negotiating table. Essentially, this will require BIMSTEC to formulate a dispute-resolution mechanism that operates on the principles of deliberation and consensus. The challenge of course, is that China will want to play mediator as it has done in northern Shan state and will play a spoilsport to any such initiative. Still, a BIMSTEC initiative could help lessen the security threat to India on its borders. (Times of Oman)

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