Question- Which of the following state is not a member of The Bey of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)?
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Malaysia
(c) Bhutan
(d) India
Answer. (b)
Related Facts:
- The fourth summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 30-31, 2018.
- The theme of this two-day summit was “Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region”
- Recalling the Third BIMSTEC Summit Declaration (Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March 2014) and the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Retreat Outcome Document (Goa, 16 October 2016).
- The fourth BIMSTEC summit was chaired by Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation to this summit.
- Other leaders who attended this summit are Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Myanmar President U Win Myint, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Bhutan’s Chief Justice and Chief Advisor to interim government Dasho Tshering Wangchuk.
- Addressing the conference, Prime Minister said that India will host International Buddhist Conclave in August 2020 and invited all BIMSTEC member states to attend the event as guest of honour.
- He said that India will establish a ‘Center for Bay of Bengal Studies’ at Nalanda University for research on arts, culture, maritime law and other subjects in the Bay of Bengal region.
- In this Summit, a MoU was also signed on establishing a BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection to enhance energy cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries.
- The next summit is proposed in Sri Lanka.
The Declaration of the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit was released on August 31, 2018. Some of key points are as follows:
- Commitment to the eradication poverty in the Bay of Bengal Region till year 2030.
- Expansion and modernization of development of highways, railways, waterways and air services in this area.
- Commitment to an early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations
- Welcome the offer of India to host a BIMSTEC Startup Conclave in December 2018, and encourage all Member States to participate in it.
About BIMSTEC
- Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand brings together 1.5 billion people – 21% of the world population.
- BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – Economic Cooperation) was formed at a meeting in Jun 1997 in Bangkok.
- Myanmar was admitted in Dec 1997 and the organization was renamed as BIMST-EC.
- The grouping expanded when Nepal and Bhutan were admitted in Feb 2004.
- Currently it has seven members.
- There is approximately 22 percent of the world’s population in these countries.
- BIMSTEC’s first summit was held in Thailand in July 2004.
- In 2014, BIMSTEC Secretariat was established in Dhaka (Bangladesh).
Why BIMSTEC matters for India:
- BIMSTEC is like a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia.
- Myanmar is only south East Asian country India has boundary with.
- An India- Myanmar Thailand highway is one of the key projects in the government’s Act East policy.
- With India- Pakistan tension coming in way of a smooth functioning of the SAARC, grouping such as BIMSTEC can take forward the concept of regional cooperation in a different manner.
Reference:
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bimstec-nations-call-for-early-adoption-of-regional-transport-connectivity-master-plan-118083100580_1.html
https://idsa.in/idsacomments/bimstec-at-20-hopes-and-apprehensions_skundu_200617