India hosted the BIMSTEC Youth Heritage and Sustainability Immersion Programme from March 17 to 23 in Madhya Pradesh, bringing together young leaders from across the region to strengthen cultural ties and promote sustainable development.
The initiative, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Bharat Scouts and Guides, was part of announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to enhance youth exchanges within the BIMSTEC grouping.
Over 80 participants from BIMSTEC member countries took part in the seven-day immersive programme, which aimed to strengthen people-to-people connectivity while advancing cooperation in BIMSTEC’s priority sectors of culture, environment, and youth engagement.
The first part of the program in Bhopal focused on cultural heritage immersion, where participants visited museums, heritage sites, and tribal community centres, and engaged in intercultural dialogue and reflection sessions.
The second part took place in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, where participants underwent an environmental leadership module featuring forest ecology workshops, sustainability projects, eco-tourism initiatives, adventure activities, and team-building exercises.
According to the MEA, the programme was aligned with the Prime Minister’s Mission LiFE initiative, promoting sustainable lifestyles and environmental stewardship among the youth, and was designed around experiential learning, peer dialogue, and collaborative projects. The Governor and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh also interacted with the participants during the event.
The MEA said that the programme achieved significant outcomes, including enhanced appreciation of shared cultural and environmental heritage, strengthened leadership and intercultural competencies among participants, and the establishment of a BIMSTEC Youth Sustainability Network to ensure continued collaboration.
“The initiative marks an important step in deepening regional engagement under the BIMSTEC framework and in empowering youth as ambassadors of cultural diplomacy and sustainable development,” the MEA added.
