Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a comprehensive 21-point action plan at the sixth Bimstec summit in Bangkok on Friday, setting an ambitious roadmap for collaboration across different sectors.
His recommendations reflect India’s leadership in revitalizing Bimstec, aligning with the “Neighborhood First” and “ACT East” policies and integrating into India’s broader Indo-Pacific vision.
PM Modi shared his vision on X, saying: “Bimstec is an important forum to further global goodness. We must strengthen it and deepen our participation. In this case, I propose a 21-point action plan covering all aspects of our collaboration.”
PM Modi stressed the need for economic integration and suggested the establishment of the Bimstec Chamber, the annual BIMSTEC Business Summit and a feasible study on trade in local currencies.
“It’s time to promote business across Bimstec’s country!” he wrote.
He focused on digital transformation and urged the group to capitalize on the potential of IT and promote technological strength.
He called for a pilot study to assess the need for Bimstec countries to share India’s digital public infrastructure experience, as well as the integration of India’s UPI with regional payment systems.
Modi refers to the recent earthquake affecting Myanmar and Thailand, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in disaster preparation and response.
He announced the establishment of the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management in India and informed the fourth joint disaster management exercise that will be held later this year.
He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in space and security sectors.
Proposals include the first Home Secretary meeting in India, through ground station training, manufacturing and launch of nano-satellites and the use of remote sensing data for regional planning and development.
PM Modi said in the field of training and capacity building: “Bimstec has the potential to be a brilliant example of the capacity building framework. We will learn from each other and grow!”
He announced the Bodhi initiative, under which Bimstec (Bimstec) organizes the organizational development of human resources infrastructure, will receive 300 youth from Bimstec countries in India each year.
Scholarships for the Forest Institute and Bimstec students of the University of Nalanda were also announced.
In addition, India will conduct annual training programs for young diplomats in Bimstec countries, and the Tata Memorial Centre will support cancer care training.
PM Modi also announced the creation of the Center for Excellence for the Traditional Medical Research Center and provides farmers with knowledge exchange, research and capacity building.
He said, emphasizing energy security and youth participation, “We will collectively be energetic for Bimstec and our young people will lead the way.”
The Bimstec Energy Centre in Bangalore has begun operations and will train youth in the energy sector. He also urged to speed up work on grid interconnections.
He announced the BIMSTEC Young Leaders Summit, Regional Hackathon and Young Professional Visitor Program. India will also host the BIMSTEC track and field competition later this year and the Bimstec competition in 2027.
Regarding cultural connections and connectivity, Prime Minister Modi said: “There are few things that are as connected as culture! May cultural connections bring Bimstec closer.”
He proposed to host the Bimstec Traditional Music Festival in India and announced the establishment of a sustainable maritime transport centre to support research, innovation and policy coordination in the maritime sector.
Although BIMSTEC was formally established in 1997, its strategic direction and pace of activities accelerated especially after 2016, when PM Modi invited Bimstec leaders to retreat in Goa along with the BRICS Summit, an event widely seen as a turning point for the group.
His foreign policy initiatives – Neighborhood No. 1, ACT East, Mahasagar vision and vision for the Indo-Pacific – granted Bimstec a renewed vitality to benefit all member states.
India’s ongoing efforts have helped Bimstec grow into a cohesive regional group. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi invited Bimstec’s leader to attend his oath-in ceremony, reaffirming India’s commitment to regional reunification.
India has also made great progress to enhance the connectivity of physics, numbers and energy within the grouping. The Bimstec Energy Centre in Bangalore plays a key role in coordinating regional grid interconnect projects under the One World, One Sun, One Grid Program.
India’s leadership in disaster response is also the cornerstone of Bimstec’s cooperation. Following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, India launched Operation Brahma to assist affected areas and strengthen its role as a first responder.
Under India’s management, Bimstec has transformed into a dynamic and action platform that has the potential to shape the future of regional cooperation and integration.
The 21-point action plan proposed by PM Modi further consolidates India’s central role in shifting Bimstec toward a shared and sustainable future.
