Bimstecs Active Role In 2020 Highlights Regional Cooperation And Indias Diplomatic Outreach

In 2020, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) played a vital role in regional diplomacy, cooperation, and disaster preparedness among its seven member countries—India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal. Notably, BIMSTEC leaders were invited to India’s Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, signaling strong diplomatic engagement. The organization also conducted a significant disaster management exercise, BIMSTEC-DMEx 2020, involving five member states to enhance disaster response protocols. Throughout the year, various projects and agreements focused on port development, water-sharing, border infrastructure, and regional connectivity, reflecting India’s broader strategic aims of regional integration and stability amid geopolitical shifts, particularly in the context of China’s expanding influence in Asia.

---

Introduction: The Significance of BIMSTEC in Regional Dynamics

In the complex geopolitical landscape of South and Southeast Asia, regional cooperation organizations serve as critical platforms for fostering peace, stability, and economic growth. Among these, BIMSTEC stands out due to its strategic location around the Bay of Bengal, connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia. Established in 1997, BIMSTEC is an intergovernmental organization comprising seven nations: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal. Its core aim is to promote multi-sectoral cooperation, including trade, infrastructure, disaster management, and connectivity.

The year 2020 marked a period of heightened activity for BIMSTEC, driven by India’s diplomatic initiatives and the pressing need for regional resilience amid the global COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties. This article explores the detailed developments within BIMSTEC during 2020, analyzing their strategic implications, key actors, projects, and broader significance in India’s foreign policy framework.

Historical Context and Formation of BIMSTEC

BIMSTEC’s origins trace back to the late 1990s when it was conceived as a regional response to the economic and security challenges faced by the Bay of Bengal littoral states. The Bangkok Declaration of 1997 laid its foundation, aiming to foster economic cooperation, technical collaboration, and regional security among member states. It emerged as a complement to other regional organizations like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), emphasizing connectivity beyond South Asia to Southeast Asia.

India has consistently positioned BIMSTEC as a strategic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeking to promote regional connectivity that aligns with its Act East policy. Over the years, BIMSTEC has expanded its scope, organizing summits, ministerial meetings, and joint exercises, with 2020 being a pivotal year for its renewed activity.

Diplomatic Outreach: Inviting BIMSTEC Leaders to India’s Swearing-in Ceremony

One of the significant diplomatic gestures in 2020 was India’s invitation to BIMSTEC heads of state and government to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This move underscored India’s commitment to regional diplomatic engagement and reinforced BIMSTEC’s importance as a regional platform for dialogue and cooperation. It symbolized India’s desire to elevate BIMSTEC’s profile amid broader regional and global geopolitical shifts.

The BIMSTEC-DMEx 2020: Enhancing Disaster Preparedness

A hallmark activity of 2020 was the organization of BIMSTEC-DMEx (Disaster Management Exercise) 2020, held in Puri, Odisha. This was the second such exercise, building upon the success of the inaugural DMEx in 2018. The exercise involved five member countries—India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—and focused on standardizing disaster response protocols, coordination mechanisms, and heritage site conservation.

The objectives of BIMSTEC-DMEx 2020 included improving regional disaster response, addressing climate change impacts, and strengthening heritage conservation efforts amidst natural calamities. This exercise highlighted regional resilience as a strategic priority and demonstrated the growing institutional maturity of BIMSTEC.

Ports and Connectivity

Ports have been central to BIMSTEC’s regional integration agenda. In 2020, several port-related agreements and projects advanced, including:

• Use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports: India and Bangladesh finalized arrangements allowing India to utilize the Chattogram and Mongla ports for regional trade, reducing logistical costs and boosting connectivity.
• Sri Lanka Port Development: Sri Lanka’s ports in Colombo and Trincomalee saw ongoing collaboration, with India and Sri Lanka jointly working on port infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing maritime security and trade routes.
• Port Cooperation Agreements: Formal agreements facilitated port development, port usage rights, and joint port management, positioning these ports as regional hubs.

Water-Sharing and Transboundary Resources

Water resource management remained a key priority. In 2020, India agreed to withdraw water from the Feni River for drinking water supply to Bangladesh, helping to address transboundary water-sharing issues. These agreements aimed to promote peaceful resource sharing and prevent conflicts.

Border Infrastructure and Check Posts

Enhancing border infrastructure was another focus. The establishment and modernization of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along India’s borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar facilitated smoother movement of goods and people, boosting regional trade and people-to-people contact.

Energy and Infrastructure

In the energy sector, the Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline between India and Nepal advanced further, reducing dependency on alternative routes and strengthening energy cooperation. Additionally, infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, and border crossings were prioritized to improve connectivity.

Humanitarian and Cultural Initiatives

Other notable activities included efforts related to refugee settlement at Bhashan Char in Bangladesh, and tourism development initiatives like the Addu Tourism Zone in the Maldives, reflecting a broader regional engagement in economic development and humanitarian issues.

The Role of BIMSTEC Secretariat

Based in Dhaka, the BIMSTEC Secretariat serves as the administrative hub coordinating member activities, organizing summits, and facilitating cooperation. Despite limited enforcement powers, it plays a vital role in setting agendas and monitoring progress.

Member States’ Positions and Strategies

• India aims to position itself as the regional leader by promoting connectivity projects, disaster preparedness, and diplomatic outreach, aligning these efforts with its Act East policy.
• Bangladesh emphasizes port development, water sharing, and regional trade facilitation, seeking to leverage BIMSTEC for economic growth.
• Myanmar focuses on border security and connectivity, aligning with its strategic position as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia.
• Sri Lanka supports maritime security, port development, and disaster management, given its strategic position in the Indian Ocean.
• Thailand and the Himalayan nations, Bhutan and Nepal, prioritize infrastructure, trade, and resource management, seeking regional integration with their neighbors.

International and Legal Frameworks

BIMSTEC operates under several key frameworks, notably the 1997 Bangkok Declaration, which outlines its goals and operational principles. MoUs on port development and water sharing further codify specific cooperation areas. The BIMSTEC-DMEx, initiated in 2018 and continued in 2020, exemplifies joint disaster management protocols.

India’s Regional Leadership and Diplomacy

By actively engaging BIMSTEC, India aims to bolster regional influence, counterbalance China’s BRI, and promote a rules-based regional order. Inviting BIMSTEC leaders to national events and spearheading initiatives reflects India’s strategic intent to shape regional norms and cooperation.

Countering China’s Influence

While BIMSTEC is not explicitly a counterbalance to China, its focus on connectivity and infrastructure can be viewed through this lens. India’s emphasis on regional projects that exclude BRI pathways indicates an effort to assert regional alternatives.

Disaster Preparedness and Climate Resilience

The increased emphasis on disaster management exercises underscores regional vulnerability to climate change impacts—such as cyclones, flooding, and rising sea levels—and the necessity for coordinated responses.

Economic and Security Dimensions

Enhanced port connectivity, water-sharing agreements, and border infrastructure bolster economic integration and security cooperation, contributing to regional stability. These projects also aim to facilitate trade routes, energy security, and maritime security, vital in a geopolitically tense environment.

The Role of BIMSTEC in Broader Regional Frameworks

BIMSTEC’s activities complement other regional frameworks, such as ASEAN, SAARC, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Its unique focus on Bay of Bengal connectivity positions it as a crucial regional actor amid evolving geopolitical trends.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite progress, BIMSTEC faces challenges including institutional limitations, varying member priorities, and geopolitical tensions. Its effectiveness depends on sustained political will, resource allocation, and operational coherence.

Looking ahead, BIMSTEC’s potential expansion of projects—such as further port development, energy pipelines, and digital connectivity—could significantly deepen regional integration. India’s continued diplomatic engagement, combined with regional consensus, will shape BIMSTEC’s trajectory in the coming years.

Broader Issues in Indian Foreign Relations and Regional Strategy

India’s engagement with BIMSTEC embodies its broader strategic objectives: fostering regional stability, countering China’s influence, and promoting economic growth through connectivity. The organization serves as a diplomatic platform to project soft power, foster regional trust, and enhance India’s leadership role.

Furthermore, BIMSTEC’s activities dovetail with India’s Act East policy, which seeks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia and beyond. It also aligns with India’s efforts to address regional security issues, maritime security, and climate resilience—core aspects of its foreign policy calculus.

Conclusion

In 2020, BIMSTEC emerged as a vital regional platform for cooperation, disaster preparedness, and connectivity in South and Southeast Asia. India’s active diplomatic outreach, coupled with tangible projects like port agreements and water-sharing protocols, underscores its strategic priorities in fostering regional integration and stability. As BIMSTEC continues to evolve, its role in shaping regional geopolitics and economic development remains significant, especially in the context of rising regional competition and global power shifts.