PM Modi unveils 21-point plan to boost BIMSTEC ties, trade, and tech

📰 In News – UPSC

PM Modi unveils 21-point Action Plan at 6th BIMSTEC Summit (Bangkok, April 2025)🔹 Event: 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, hosted by Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

🔹 Key Outcome: PM Narendra Modi announced a 21-point Action Plan to deepen BIMSTEC cooperation.

🔹 Highlights of the Action Plan:

Linking India’s UPI with BIMSTEC payment systems to boost trade & tourism.
Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce & annual business summits.
Hosting BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025) and BIMSTEC Games (2027) to mark 30 years of BIMSTEC.
Launch of BODHI (BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure) – training 300 youths annually in India.
Nano-satellite programme for BIMSTEC nations & ground station cooperation.
Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India.
Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India – focus on shipping, cargo & maritime security.
Institutionalising Home Ministers’ Mechanism – India to host first meeting.
Scholarships for BIMSTEC students at FRI & Nalanda University.
Tata Memorial Centre to support cancer care training in BIMSTEC countries.
Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine & Agriculture Knowledge Exchange Hub.
Hosting BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival, Youth Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon & Young Professional Visitors Programme in 2025.

🔹 Other Summit Outcomes:

Adoption of Bangkok Vision 2030 (Prosperous, Resilient, Open BIMSTEC).
Signing of Maritime Transport Agreement.
Chairmanship of BIMSTEC handed over to Bangladesh.

🔹 Significance:

Enhances regional connectivity, economic integration, digital & health cooperation.
Strengthens India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East, and SAGAR vision.
Positions BIMSTEC as a vital bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Updated - 4 April 2025 ; 10: 10 PM | DD NEWS