Dhaka: Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Indra Mani Pandey, emphasized that comparing BIMSTEC with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is “misleading and misplaced,” adversely impacting BIMSTEC’s interests.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Pandey articulated his views during an interaction with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the BIMSTEC headquarters. He urged that BIMSTEC should be appreciated independently, without being juxtaposed with other organizations like SAARC, which have distinct histories and accomplishments.
BIMSTEC is poised to become a prominent regional organization in the Indo-Pacific, Pandey noted, highlighting the grouping’s significant institutional progress since its inception in 1997. BIMSTEC was established to foster cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia, focusing on technical and economic collaboration.
Pandey underscored that BIMSTEC enjoys considerable political support from its members, emphasizes tangible cooperation, and consciously avoids political issues. The organization is undergoing reforms and revitalization to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness as a regional entity.
Over the years, BIMSTEC has achieved notable milestones, including the adoption of its Charter, the development of institutional mechanisms, and the formulation of a long-term vision document. These achievements reflect its maturity as a regional organization.
The Secretary General suggested that discussions should now focus on BIMSTEC’s future direction, considering whether to broaden its agenda and deepen cooperation in additional sectors to address emerging regional challenges. He stressed that regional cooperation is crucial for the development and security of the Bay of Bengal region, positioning BIMSTEC as a dynamic and suitable platform for achieving this.
Pandey highlighted that BIMSTEC supports the core security and developmental interests of Bangladesh and other member states, describing the organization as a tangible opportunity rather than a hypothetical possibility. He acknowledged the shared security and developmental challenges faced by Bangladesh and other BIMSTEC members, which require collective action.
The evolving agenda of BIMSTEC, shaped by active participation from Bangladesh, aligns with the country’s developmental priorities. Bangladesh leads regional cooperation in critical sectors, including trade, investment, fiscal and monetary policy, and the blue economy.
The success of regional cooperation through BIMSTEC will significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s development, security, and prosperity, Pandey asserted. Addressing a question on the Rohingya issue, he clarified that BIMSTEC’s agenda is collectively decided by all member states and currently excludes political matters.
Bangladesh, currently chairing BIMSTEC, assumed leadership at the conclusion of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025. Pandey reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to regional cooperation via BIMSTEC, rooted in the belief that such cooperation is vital for the country’s development.
BIMSTEC is currently negotiating a “BIMSTEC Motor Vehicles Agreement” to enhance land connectivity among member states, and India has proposed establishing a “BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre.” Additionally, the organization has decided to institutionalize the BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting to bolster regional security cooperation, with the inaugural meeting slated for October 2026 in India.
Pandey announced the finalization of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on countering radicalization and terrorism, with an “action matrix” under consideration for implementation. An action matrix for combating human trafficking has also been developed.
Furthermore, BIMSTEC is exploring measures to ease travel within the region, including a potential BIMSTEC visa facilitation scheme.