Day 47 – Q. 3. “BIMSTEC holds the promise of linking South and Southeast Asia, yet remains underutilized.” Analyze India’s role in revitalizing the grouping in the current geopolitical context. (150 words, 10 marks)

Q. 3. “BIMSTEC holds the promise of linking South and Southeast Asia, yet remains underutilized.” Analyze India’s role in revitalizing the grouping in the current geopolitical context. (150 words, 10 marks)

Introduction 

Formed in 1997, BIMSTEC was envisioned as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia.  Amid shifting Indo-Pacific dynamics and SAARC’s stagnation, India has increasingly turned to  BIMSTEC to promote regional connectivity and economic integration. 

Body 

India’s Strategic Interests in BIMSTEC 

1. Linking Act East and Neighbourhood First: BIMSTEC helps operationalise India’s twin  regional strategies across the Bay of Bengal. 
2. SAARC stagnation: With Pakistan blocking SAARC progress, India sees BIMSTEC as a  functional alternative. 
3. Maritime importance: Bay of Bengal is central to India’s Indo-Pacific vision, trade  security, and energy routes. 
4. Countering China’s influence: Through BIMSTEC, India offers an inclusive, regional  alternative to China’s BRI and expanding maritime footprint. 
5. Promoting sub-regionalism: BIMSTEC allows focused cooperation with like-minded  nations, bypassing bilateral bottlenecks. 

India’s Revitalization Efforts 

1. Institutional strengthening: India led efforts to adopt the BIMSTEC Charter (2022), giving  legal and structural clarity. 
2. Financial and technical support: India contributes to the BIMSTEC Secretariat and offers  capacity-building across sectors. 
3. Sectoral leadership: India leads in key areas—security, environment, counterterrorism,  transport, and connectivity. 
4. Master Plan for Transport Connectivity: India played a key role in drafting and funding  infrastructure corridors under this plan. 
5. Digital and energy initiatives: Push for regional energy grid, coastal shipping, and digital  public infrastructure cooperation. 
6. Security cooperation: Hosting annual National Security Chiefs’ meetings to tackle terror,  trafficking, and maritime crime. 

Challenges Hindering BIMSTEC’s Potential 

1. Slow implementation: Project delays, weak funding, and bureaucratic inertia slow  regional progress. 
2. Asymmetry among members: Economic and institutional gaps create dependency on  India and uneven participation. 
3. Overlapping forums: Multiple regional platforms dilute focus and create coordination  fatigue. 
4. Limited visibility: BIMSTEC lacks public awareness, reducing stakeholder pressure for  accountability. 
5. China factor: Some Southeast Asian members balance India with China, reducing  BIMSTEC’s cohesion. 

Way Forward 

1. Prioritise connectivity: Fast-tracking the Kaladan Project and India–Thailand–Myanmar  Trilateral Highway is vital. 
2. Strengthen institutional mechanisms: Establish dispute resolution and project  monitoring frameworks. 
3. Promote economic integration: Push for BIMSTEC FTA and value chain development in  trade, tourism, and services. 
4. Enhance visibility: Public diplomacy and media outreach can build grassroots support for  BIMSTEC projects. 
5. Align with Indo-Pacific strategy: BIMSTEC should complement India’s maritime diplomacy  and regional security efforts. 

Conclusion

BIMSTEC remains a promising but underleveraged regional platform. For India, revitalising it  is not just strategic—it is essential. A proactive, sustained push can transform BIMSTEC into a  cornerstone of India’s regional leadership.