BIMSTEC through the prism of Modi 3.0

 Keywords: BIMSTEC, India’s Neighbourhood Policy, Subregionalism, Indo-Pacific, Modi 3.0

Date:17th June 2024

Competing visions of regional order and power dynamics have been driving the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region. These dynamics have offered both opportunities as well as challenges for regional integration in the Bay of Bengal region. Amid this backdrop, India, seeks to bolster its partnership in its neighbours through regional blocs such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). 

BIMSTEC is one of the key platforms through which India has been advancing its regional interests. With Narendra Modi returning to power for the third term, regional engagement through the BIMSTEC platform is likely to continue. An indication of that can be seen when several leaders from the BIMSTEC countries attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi. By strengthening connectivity and promoting economic integration through BIMSTEC, New Delhi aims to address the challenges posed by the emerging regional geopolitics. 

With nearly one-fourth of the world’s population and a combined GDP of USD 3.6 trillion, the seven-member BIMSTEC comprises South Asian and Southeast Asian nations. Over the years, the subregional grouping has emerged as an important platform for promoting regional integration and addressing common challenges. The grouping has been enhancing cooperation across several sectors including trade, investment, energy, technology, connectivity, and tourism. 

A pivotal moment in BIMSTEC's evolution was the adoption of its Charter which officially took effect on 20^th May 2024. This Charter acts as a foundational document that sets out the organization’s long-term objectives, priorities, and operational framework. It also establishes a legal recognition of BIMSTEC and allows for the inclusion of new members and observers. During the upcoming BIMSTEC summit scheduled later this year, it is expected to adopt Bangkok Vision 2030 and conclude other important agreements. 

Regional cooperation and connectivity have been a prime focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy agenda in the last decade. By facilitating connectivity, BIMSTEC creates an opportunity to integrate South Asia with Southeast Asia which is an important objective under the Modi administration’s Act East Policy. BIMSTEC holds a significant place in Modi’s vision of the Neighborhood First policy, further promoting synergies in India’s regional diplomacy. 

In 2019, Prime Minister Modi hosted leaders of the subregional bloc during his swearing-in ceremony to advocate for deepening integration within the member-nations of the grouping. In many ways, India’s Act East Policy hinges on New Delhi’s strategic ties with the Southeast Asian region. In this context, the possible addition of new member states such as Indonesia and Malaysia to the BIMSTEC bloc is likely to boost Modi’s Act East ambitions. 

As the world’s geopolitical centre of gravity shifts towards the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi seeks to play a more assertive role in shaping regional dynamics and its enhanced focus on BIMSTEC aligns with the broader strategic imperatives. BIMSTEC offers New Delhi a bridge to link South Asia and Southeast Asia and to counterbalance China’s increasing regional influence. 

Regional connectivity within the BIMSTEC is a cornerstone of India’s engagement with the member countries of the grouping. India has consistently prioritized infrastructure projects to enhance regional connectivity as is evident in the case of India’s Northeastern region which acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Key initiatives include the ambitious India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway spanning 3200 km that aims to connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar. 

Similarly, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) aims to connect Kolkata Port to Sittwe Port in Myanmar and then to Mizoram through land and inland water routes. Meanwhile, there is already a Motor Vehicle Agreement between India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, that is expected to allow free flow of vehicles between these countries with minimum permits. 

Negotiations for a similar motor agreement in the BIMSTEC grouping is already underway and once concluded this will allow the free movement of commercial vehicles in the entire BIMSTEC subregion with just a single permit. Likewise, an agreement on cooperation in maritime transport is expected to be finalized during the sixth summit later this year. 

From New Delhi’s perspective, BIMSTEC acts as one of the important platforms that could play a crucial role in regional connectivity and economic integration. By strengthening cooperation with member-countries, India positions itself in shaping the future trajectory of BIMSTEC and asserts its influence on the regional stage.  

During Modi 3.0, New Delhi’s engagement with the BIMSTEC is likely to see an enhanced focus on key areas such as infrastructure development, security cooperation, and trade facilitation. As BIMSTEC continues to evolve, India’s proactive approach under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi will offer valuable opportunities in utilizing the collective strength of the member-countries to open new avenues for a more prosperous and secure future for the Bay of Bengal region.

 Prasanna Kumar works as a Senior Research and Program Associate at Asian Confluence. He is pursuing his PhD from O.P Jindal Global University.. 

 Disclaimer: The views expressed above and the information available are those of the author/s and can therefore in no way be taken to reflect the position of Asian Confluence