2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave ,Visakhapatnam

📰 In News – BIMSTEC Ports Conclave 2025

• Event: 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave
• Date & Venue: 14–15 July 2025 | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
• Inaugurated by: Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways
• Organised by: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA)
• Theme: Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships

Key Highlights

• Delegates from all 7 BIMSTEC nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
• Focus areas:
  • Regional maritime connectivity & cooperation in Bay of Bengal.
  • Harit Sagar & Green Ports initiative → sustainable logistics, de-carbonisation.
  • Kaladan Multimodal Transit Corridor acceleration.
  • Coastal tourism circuits & cruise lines promotion.
  • Smart logistics corridors, SEZs, port-linked industrialisation.
  • Upskilling port workforce through Centre of Excellence in Maritime Skill Development (CEMS).
• BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey presented BIMSTEC Vision 2030 → 267 transport connectivity projects underway.
• Conclave aligned with:
  • India’s Act East Policy
  • Neighbourhood First Policy
  • SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
  • Maritime India Vision 2030 & Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

Background

• 1st BIMSTEC Ports Conclave: Visakhapatnam, November 2019 (Theme: Blue Seas Synergy Summit).
• Outcomes: Cruise Tourism Task Force, Chennai–Sri Lanka cruise circuit, boost to inland waterways, Sittwe Port operationalisation (Myanmar), PCS 1x & SagarSetu platforms.

Significance for UPSC

• Strengthens Blue Economy cooperation in Bay of Bengal.
• Positions Visakhapatnam as India’s Eastern Gateway.
• Reinforces India’s maritime leadership & connectivity diplomacy in Indo-Pacific.
  
  Updated -  July 13, 2025 09:01 am | The Hindu