At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a thorough speech highlighting the organization’s crucial role as a link between South and Southeast Asia. He emphasized the growing significance of BIMSTEC in promoting cooperation, connectivity, and shared prosperity in the region. Among his speech’s main points are:
This strategic roadmap, which attempts to create a prosperous, safe, and inclusive Bay of Bengal region, was adopted with praise from PM Modi. Over the last three years, Thailand has demonstrated effective leadership, which he acknowledged.
To promote trade, business, and tourism, Modi suggested combining the BIMSTEC payment systems with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). He also recommended doing feasibility studies for local currency trade and forming a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
India offered to host a cancer care training center and a BIMSTEC Center of Excellence for Disaster Management. Additionally, a new Center of Excellence for research in traditional medicine was announced.
Modi suggested establishing a Center of Excellence for agricultural research and cooperation on the development of nanosatellites and the use of data from remote sensing.
The “BODHI” program was started with the goal of training 300 youth from participating nations each year. The Forestry Research Institute and Nalanda University in India will offer more scholarships.
The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival, Young Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon, and Athletics Meet will take place in India. India intends to host the inaugural BIMSTEC Games in 2027.
PM Modi emphasized how BIMSTEC can serve as a model for collective security and inclusive development, in line with India’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas” vision. He greeted Bangladesh as BIMSTEC’s new chair and conveyed his optimism for ongoing regional cooperation and solidarity.