A New Push in the Bay of Bengal (GS Paper 2, IR)
Introduction
- In July 2024, India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Foreign Ministers' Retreat in New Delhi.
- This event was pivotal for the region, aiming to enhance cooperation and tackle key challenges across security, connectivity, trade, and investment within the Bay of Bengal.
- The retreat highlighted India's strategic focus on strengthening ties with its eastern neighbors amid increasing regional dynamics and the growing influence of China.
Strengthening Ties with Eastern Neighbors
BIMSTEC, which includes five South Asian and two Southeast Asian countries, is instrumental in fostering regional collaboration across seven sectors. For India, engaging with BIMSTEC is crucial for several reasons:
- Economic and Security Imperatives: The Bay of Bengal region is vital for India’s economic growth and security. By strengthening ties with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, India aims to enhance its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific and secure its northeastern region, which is landlocked and reliant on neighboring countries for access to the sea.
- China’s Growing Influence: China’s increasing presence in the Bay of Bengal poses a potential threat to regional stability and India’s strategic interests. By solidifying relationships with its eastern neighbors, India seeks to counterbalance China's influence and reaffirm its role as a preferred security partner in the region.
- Indo-Pacific Vision: India’s engagement with Myanmar and Thailand aligns with its vision of a robust Indo-Pacific strategy. Thailand’s role as a bridge between BIMSTEC and ASEAN is pivotal, reinforcing India’s focus on ASEAN as a central player in regional dynamics.
Two Parts of the Retreat
The retreat was structured into two distinct segments:
Assessment of Regional Cooperation:
Review of Past Outcomes:
- The first part of the retreat involved reviewing the implementation of key outcomes from the 1st BIMSTEC Retreat.
- This assessment helped in identifying progress and areas needing further attention.
Proposals and Initiatives:
- Centers of Excellence: The member states proposed establishing Centers of Excellence in areas such as Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Maritime Transport to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building.
- Health Initiatives: India announced support for cancer research and treatment and the issuance of e-visas for patients from BIMSTEC countries. Sri Lanka suggested expanding this to include kidney disease, highlighting a collaborative approach to health challenges.
- Private Sector Involvement: The retreat underscored the importance of involving the private sector in trade and supporting young entrepreneurs, aiming to stimulate economic growth and innovation.
- Connectivity and Security: Discussions included enhancing connectivity, improving cyber-security, and addressing issues like narcotics and illegal arms trafficking. These areas are critical for regional stability and economic integration.
Expectations for the Upcoming Summit:
- Resource Mapping and Economic Integration: Sri Lanka emphasized the need for mapping mineral resources and creating opportunities for vertical integration within specific sectors, allowing member states to diversify their production structures and enhance economic cooperation.
- Blue Economy and Fisheries: Bangladesh highlighted the necessity for cooperation in the Blue Economy and proposed a ban on fishing during breeding seasons to address overfishing and depleting fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal.
- Tourism and Cultural Exchanges: Bhutan advocated for collaboration in tourism and cultural exchanges to foster better mutual understanding and economic benefits.
- Regional Synergies: Nepal stressed a ‘whole of the region’ approach to leverage synergies among member states, aiming to transform BIMSTEC into a results-oriented regional forum.
- Non-Traditional Security and Online Scamming: Thailand and Myanmar brought attention to non-traditional security domains and the need to combat online scamming, reflecting the evolving nature of regional security challenges.
Conclusion
- The 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was a significant step towards deepening regional cooperation and addressing a broad spectrum of issues affecting the Bay of Bengal.
- The proposals discussed and the collaborative spirit demonstrated highlight a collective commitment to advancing regional integration and development.
- As the forthcoming summit approaches, the real challenge will be in translating these discussions into actionable outcomes that can effectively address the region's economic, security, and environmental needs.
- The retreat has set a promising foundation for BIMSTEC to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Bay of Bengal's geopolitical and economic landscape.
