Bangkok, April 4 — In a landmark address at the sixth BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a comprehensive 21-point Action Plan aimed at deepening regional cooperation, enhancing digital connectivity, and strengthening trade among member nations of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
UPI Integration and Digital Infrastructure at the Core
One of the key highlights of the action plan is the proposal to link India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the payment systems of BIMSTEC countries. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that such integration would facilitate trade, boost tourism, and streamline industrial transactions across the region.He also proposed a pilot study on the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) needs of BIMSTEC countries, underlining India’s commitment to share its digital governance experience. “Let’s harness the rich potential of the IT sector and make BIMSTEC technologically stronger,” he stated.
BODHI Initiative: Investing in Human Capital
Modi announced the BODHI initiative (BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure) under which 300 youth from BIMSTEC nations will be trained in India annually, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration through skill development and knowledge exchange.Additional education-related proposals include:
- Scholarships for BIMSTEC students at the Forest Research Institute and Nalanda University.
- Annual training programs for young diplomats.
- Cancer care training support through the Tata Memorial Centre.
Strengthening Commerce and Connectivity
To stimulate economic cooperation, the Prime Minister proposed the formation of a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, the organization of annual business summits, and the exploration of local currency trade among member nations.In support of regional integration, he also advocated for the expedited development of electric grid interconnectionsand introduced the idea of a Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India. This centre will focus on capacity building, innovation, and cooperation in maritime security and policy.
Disaster Management and Regional Security
Following the devastating March 28 earthquake that impacted Myanmar and Thailand, Modi offered condolences and stressed the need for robust disaster preparedness. He proposed:- Establishment of a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India.
- Hosting the fourth joint disaster management exercise in India this year.
Advancing Space and Traditional Knowledge
Prime Minister Modi also sought to take regional cooperation beyond the terrestrial, proposing:- Ground stations and manpower training in space technology.
- Manufacturing and launching of Nano Satellites.
- Utilization of remote sensing data for regional benefit.
- A Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine Research.
- A Centre for Agricultural Knowledge Exchange to support farmers across BIMSTEC nations.
Cultural and Youth Engagement Initiatives
To strengthen cultural ties and engage youth, India will host several key events this year:- BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival
- BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit
- BIMSTEC Hackathon
- Young Professional Visitors Programme
- BIMSTEC Athletics Meet, with the first-ever BIMSTEC Games scheduled for 2027
Shared Vision for Regional Prosperity
The summit, attended by leaders from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, culminated in the adoption of the Bangkok Vision 2030, reaffirming a shared commitment to prosperity, security, and inclusivity in the Bay of Bengal region.“BIMSTEC serves as a bridge connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is emerging as an effective platform to open new avenues of regional connectivity, cooperation, and prosperity,” Prime Minister Modi concluded.
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