BIMSTEC Youth Leaders Summit 2025: Assam’s Strategic Role in Regional Cooperation

Why in the News?

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the BIMSTEC Youth Leaders Summit 2025 in Guwahati.

About BIMSTEC

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional grouping of seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka (South Asia), Myanmar, and Thailand (Southeast Asia). It promotes regional cooperation across 14 priority sectors such as trade, technology, tourism, environment, energy, and counter-terrorism.

• Founded in 1997 as BIST-EC with the Bangkok Declaration.

• Renamed BIMST-EC in 1997 after Myanmar joined.

• Became BIMSTEC in 2004 after Nepal and Bhutan joined.

• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• Current Chair (2025): Thailand.

Significance of BIMSTEC for India

1. Regional Cooperation

   • Aligns with India’s Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First Policy.

   • Deepens engagement with South Asia and Southeast Asia simultaneously.

2. Connectivity

   • Supports major infrastructure projects:

     • India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway

     • Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project

   • Boosts trade and people-to-people ties between Northeast India and Southeast Asia.

3. Alternative to SAARC

   • Provides a functional platform free from India–Pakistan tensions obstructing SAARC.

4. Security Cooperation

   • Addresses maritime and non-traditional security challenges in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

   • Supports India’s SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

   • Facilitates cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security, piracy, and disaster management.

5. Strategic Interests

   • Enhances India’s geostrategic influence in the Bay of Bengal and IOR.

   • Acts as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence through initiatives like BRI.

6. Economic Integration

   • Member states represent ~22% of the global population and ~4% of world GDP.

   • Opens opportunities in trade, investment, energy, fisheries, and digital economy.

7. Cultural Diplomacy

   • Promotes civilisational linkages and people-to-people ties, e.g., pilgrimage visits to Bodh Gaya for Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

Challenges and Criticisms of BIMSTEC

1. Lack of Efficiency: Slow progress due to inconsistent meetings and weak secretariat capacity.

2. Selective Interest: India’s focus on other platforms like Quad and G20 reduces political commitment.

3. Connectivity Deficit: Poor cross-border connectivity limits movement of goods and people.

4. Low Trade Volume: No Free Trade Agreement (FTA) yet; trade volume low (~4% of India’s total trade).

5. Political Tensions: Bangladesh–Myanmar Rohingya crisis; India–Nepal border disputes; Myanmar military coup.

6. External Dependencies: Members trade more with China, US, and EU than within BIMSTEC.

7. Overlapping Initiatives: ASEAN, BBIN, BCIM Corridor dilute BIMSTEC’s focus.

Factoring Assam in India–BIMSTEC Relations

1. Geostrategic Importance

• Assam connects South Asia and Southeast Asia, sharing a 262 km border with Bangladesh.

• Serves as the Northeast gateway for India’s BIMSTEC outreach under the Act East Policy.

2. Economic and Trade Linkages

• Assam’s tea, oil, gas, handicrafts, horticulture can access BIMSTEC markets.

• Brahmaputra and Barak rivers offer inland waterways for cross-border trade.

• Rich in hydropower and agriculture feeding BIMSTEC’s energy and food demands.

3. Connectivity Projects

• Key role in India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (via Moreh–Tamu; Assam connected through Silchar).

• Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project benefits Assam indirectly.

• BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement includes Assam as a major road and rail node.

• Revival of riverine links with Bangladesh (Dhubri–Chilmari port, Karimganj river routes).

4. Cultural and Civilisational Linkages

• Assam shares Buddhist and Vaishnavite cultural ties with BIMSTEC countries.

• Language exchanges, festivals, and trade strengthen cultural diplomacy.

5. Security and Strategic Dimension

• Assam’s location critical for counter-terrorism cooperation.

• Controls illegal migration and cross-border trafficking aligned with BIMSTEC stability goals.

• Disaster management focus relevant to Assam’s flood and seismic risks.

6. Present Scenario

• Hosting the BIMSTEC Youth Leaders Summit 2025 reinforces Assam’s regional role.

• Assam government promotes tourism, agriculture, and investment with BIMSTEC countries.

• Growing recognition of Assam’s development tied to BIMSTEC connectivity and trade.

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UPSC/APSC Practice Question

Q. “The success of India’s Act East Policy depends significantly on Assam’s role in BIMSTEC.” Discuss. (150 words/10 marks)