The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization that includes seven member states: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. For India, BIMSTEC represents a strategic pivot to strengthen its eastern coast and engage more deeply with its neighbors in the Bay of Bengal.
Source:- BBC news
India is leveraging BIMSTEC to enhance maritime security, trade connectivity, and regional integration. With a focus on projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand, India is bolstering infrastructure and trade links. These initiatives aim to stimulate economic growth in the northeastern states and enhance connectivity with Southeast Asia.
Source:- india today
Additionally, BIMSTEC serves as a platform for India to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region by fostering closer ties with its eastern neighbors. India’s proactive stance in BIMSTEC also aligns with its Act East Policy, which emphasizes economic and security cooperation with East Asia and ASEAN countries.
Through BIMSTEC, India is not only enhancing its strategic and economic presence in the Bay of Bengal but also promoting regional stability and cooperation among member states, which is vital for the region’s collective prosperity.
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