Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, where he is expected to make key announcements reinforcing India’s role in strengthening regional cooperation.
BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey highlighted the significance of PM Modi’s participation, expressing confidence that his address would include declarations aimed at enhancing India’s contributions to the regional bloc.
“PM will address BIMSTEC, and we are looking forward to his speech. I am sure there will be announcements and declarations reinforcing India’s role in strengthening regional cooperation through BIMSTEC,” Pandey told ANI in Thailand.
Despite the recent earthquake in Thailand, the host nation has proceeded with the summit, a decision that Pandey praised. He emphasized that the summit would yield significant outcomes, including the adoption of the Bangkok Vision 2030, the approval of the Eminent Persons Group Report, and the signing of a maritime transport cooperation agreement.
“It is commendable that despite the challenges posed by the earthquake, Thailand has gone ahead with hosting the summit. We expect a very successful outcome, including a summit declaration, the adoption of Bangkok Vision 2030, the endorsement of the eminent persons group report, and the signing of the maritime transport cooperation agreement,” he added.
India’s Leading Role in BIMSTEC
As a founding member of BIMSTEC, India has played a crucial role in advancing the regional cooperation agenda. Pandey recalled that PM Modi hosted a retreat for BIMSTEC leaders in 2016 alongside the BRICS Summit, a move that significantly pushed forward regional collaboration.
India’s engagement with BIMSTEC has been further reinforced by a recent bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Pandey described the meeting as a step towards strengthening the “spirit of cooperation” between the two nations.
“India has always played a vital role in advancing the BIMSTEC agenda. PM Modi’s retreat with BIMSTEC leaders in 2016 was a momentous occasion that propelled regional cooperation. The recent bilateral meeting with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra will further bolster this spirit of cooperation,” he noted.
Growing Bilateral Ties
Pandey also highlighted India’s strong bilateral relations with BIMSTEC member states, emphasizing that PM Modi’s engagements during the summit would further deepen these ties.
“India has excellent bilateral relations with the BIMSTEC member states, and I am confident that the Prime Minister’s meetings will further contribute not only to strengthening these relationships but also to enhancing the spirit of regional cooperation,” he said.
A significant development at the summit is Bangladesh assuming the BIMSTEC chairmanship. As a founding member and the host of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh is expected to play a crucial role in regional economic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and the blue economy.
“Bangladesh will take over as the next chair after the summit. Being a founding member and hosting the Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh will play a key role in advancing regional cooperation in trade, investment, development, and the blue economy,” Pandey stated.
Cultural Diplomacy
In a significant cultural gesture, PM Modi announced that India would send relics of Lord Buddha—discovered in Gujarat’s Aravalli in the 1960s—to Thailand for public viewing and worship.
“I am happy to announce that the holy relics of Lord Buddha, which were found in Gujarat’s Aravalli in 1960, will be sent to Thailand for darshan,” PM Modi said.
According to the Gujarat Tourism website, these relics were unearthed from Devni Mori, an ancient Buddhist monastery site dating back to the 3rd-4th century AD. PM Modi also recalled how India had sent Lord Buddha’s relics to Thailand last year, allowing over 4 million devotees to pay their respects.
BIMSTEC Summit 2025: Focus on Prosperity and Regional Growth
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit, themed “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC,” will take place on April 4, 2025, in Bangkok. The summit aims to enhance regional cooperation in trade, security, and connectivity while endorsing the Bangkok Vision 2030.
(Inputs from ANI)
