HOW IS BIMSTEC IMPORTANT FOR INDIA?

PM Modi was on a two-day visit (3-4 April 2025) to Thailand at the invitation of Thailand's Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra. He was making this visit to attend the sixth BIMSTEC summit. On reaching Thailand, he was welcomed by the Thai Prime Minister. After attending the BIMSTEC summit, PM Modi will also go on a state visit to Sri Lanka. This will be the Prime Minister's third visit to Thailand.

The summit theme held on 4 April 2025 in Bangkok was 'Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC'. India is giving more importance to BIMSTEC than the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). SAARC was formed to strengthen regional cooperation in South Asia but due to the policies of Pakistan in this organization and its support of terrorism, SAARC has become inactive.

 

 

A STRONG OPTION FOR INDIA

In such a situation, BIMSTEC is emerging as a strong option for India. It sees BIMSTEC as an excellent platform to strengthen relations with its neighboring countries. China is currently engaged in expanding its maritime and naval capabilities. This has made the Bay of Bengal even more strategically important for India.

Through BIMSTEC, India is trying to balance China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. Sri Lanka, which is a part of BIMSTEC, is currently burdened with China's debt, while China's influence is increasing amid political instability in Bangladesh.

India considers BIMSTEC an important organization for increasing trade, technical cooperation, and connectivity. However, till now this organization has not implemented any free trade agreement (FTA). You should know that the total population of BIMSTEC member countries is 1.67 billion and their total GDP is 2.88 trillion dollars.

 

 

WHAT IS BIMSTEC

The full name of BIMSTEC is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. It is a regional organization. It includes seven countries adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This organization was established on 6 June 1997. This international organization connects the countries of South Asia and South East Asia. The headquarters of BIMSTEC is in Dhaka, Bangladesh. India is one of the founding members of BIMSTEC.

 

 

HOW DID THE EXPANSION HAPPEN

BIMSTEC did not have seven countries in the beginning. Earlier, four countries were associated with this organization. This organization was known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation). After Myanmar joined this organization on 22 December 1997, its name was changed to BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation).

After this, Nepal and Bhutan also joined this organization in February 2004. In this way, there were a total of seven member countries and its name was changed to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

 

 

HOW IS THE PRESIDENCY OF BIMSTEC DECIDED

The presidency of BIMSTEC rotates on the basis of the alphabetical order of the English names of the seven member countries. The transfer of presidency takes place during the summit meeting. Whenever a new summit is held, the current presiding country hands over the leadership to the next country as per the next turn. Currently, Thailand is the chair of BIMSTEC. After this, the next chair will be Bangladesh. You should know that India chaired this organization in the year 2000 and from 2006 to 2008.

 

 

BIMSTEC ORGANIZATION IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR INDIA

BIMSTEC organization is very important for India strategically, economically, and diplomatically. The main objective of BIMSTEC is to promote economic cooperation, trade, technological development and diplomatic relations between member countries.

Apart from this, setting clear directions and goals for mutual cooperation, and identifying key priorities to achieve these goals. Also, promoting BIMSTEC as an area of ​​peace, stability and economic stability and increasing cooperation to reduce the effects of climate change.

 

 

BILATERAL MEETING

PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Thailand's Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra who is the youngest Prime Minister in the world. During this, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar was also present. An agreement has been signed between the two countries for cooperation in MSME, handloom, and handicraft.

It has been decided to increase cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, e-vehicles, robotics, space, biotechnology and start-ups. Work will be done to increase fintech connectivity between the two countries. India has started giving e-visa to Thai tourists. Cultural relations were also discussed prominently in the talks.

 

 

THAILAND IS INDIA’S FOURTH LARGEST TRADE PARTNER AMONG ASEAN COUNTRIES.

In the year 2021, the Thai company Global Renewable Synergy Company Limited made the largest investment of about Rs 3880 crore in India's renewable energy sector. Thailand is India's fourth largest trading partner among ASEAN countries after Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In the last few years, Thailand has made big investments in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, agro-processing, electronics, automotive, food processing, hospitality, and renewable energy in India.

 

 

THAILAND IS IMPORTANT IN INDIA’s ACT EAST POLICY

Act East Policy is India's strategic and economic policy. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in 2014. Through this policy, India wants to build deep relations with ASEAN countries and East Asian countries. Its aim is also to promote trade, investment, security, and cultural partnership.

 

 

SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION  

Illicit drugs such as heroin, opium, and methamphetamine are smuggled into India through the 'Golden Triangle' between Thailand and Myanmar. India and Thailand are increasing security and intelligence cooperation to stop this smuggling.

 

 

TALKS WITH OTHER LEADERS

During the summit, Prime Minister Modi also held talks with Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Myanmar military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in which strengthening regional relations and addressing common challenges were discussed.

 

 

VISIT OF WAT PHO TEMPLE

Modi and Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra visited Wat Pho, one of the top six temples in Thailand. The place is famous for the huge statue of the reclining Buddha. The temple is also famous for the innumerable statues of Buddha present around it. It was the first center for public education in Thailand, where courses in science, religion, and literature were available.

 

 

MEETING WITH THE KING OF THAILAND

PM Modi also met King Maha Vajiralongkorn (also known as Rama X) and Queen Suthida of Thailand. He presented a brass statue of Sarnath Buddha in meditation pose to King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyua of Thailand while gifting a brocade silk shawl from Uttar Pradesh to Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalakshana of Thailand. Crafted from the finest silk, the shawl features intricate motifs depicting rural life, divine celebrations, and nature-inspired by Indian miniatures and Pichwai art.

During the meeting held at Dusit Palace here, the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between Thailand and India. They exchanged views on shared cultural heritage between India and Thailand.

In this context, they talked about the relics of Lord Buddha which came to Thailand from India last year, and how this initiative has had a positive impact in further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

 

 

RAMAYANA IS CALLED RAMAKIEN IN THAI

Prime Minister Modi watched the Thai Ramayana during his visit. Here Ramayana is called Ramakien. In fact, we have had deep cultural and spiritual ties with Thailand for centuries. The spread of Buddhism has connected our people. The stories of Ramayana are an integral part of the lives of Thai people.

 

 

THAILAND IS THE THIRD MOST POPULAR DESTINATION FOR INDIAN TOURISTS.

In 2024, 21 lakh people from India visited Thailand. This is an increase of about 30% compared to 2023. After Malaysia and China, Thailand is the most visited destination by Indian tourists. At the same time, according to 'India Tourism Statistics 2023' of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the number of tourists coming to India from Thailand in the year 2022 was 64,196.

More than 90% of Thailand's population follows Theravada Buddhism, which has its roots in India. Therefore, most tourists from Thailand visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites. These include Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, and Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh.

 

 

INDIA-THAILAND RELATIONS ARE MORE THAN 2 THOUSAND YEARS OLD

The relations between India and Thailand are more than two thousand years old. In ancient times, Buddhism and Hindu culture reached Thailand from India. In Thailand, Ramayana is known as 'Ramakien', which is a part of the culture there.

During the time of Emperor Ashoka, Buddhist monks spread the teachings of Buddha in Thailand. Thailand has been called 'Suvarnabhumi' (land of gold) in ancient Indian texts. The trade relationship between Thailand and India has also been very old and strong.

However, the two countries started formal relations after gaining independence in 1947. In 2022, both celebrated the 75th anniversary of their relations. During the Cold War era, when the world was divided between America and Russia, Thailand, like India, remained non-aligned.

Thailand has a special contribution to India's Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific Vision. As a result, both countries have decided to give their relations the form of a strategic partnership. Apart from this, it highlights the growing importance of India's Northeast region in terms of regional connectivity.