24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)

India participated in the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), hosted virtually by Thailand on December 20, 2024. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India during this important session. The meeting reviewed the progress made by BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) since the last SOM in March 2023 and discussed key areas of regional cooperation. Various documents and new mechanisms of cooperation were finalized, and preparations for the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit were also discussed.

Key Highlights

India’s Participation

• Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, represented India at the virtual meeting.

Review of Progress

• The senior officials reviewed the progress made by BIMSTEC since the previous meeting held in March 2023.

Focus Areas of Cooperation

• The discussions focused on priority areas including sustainable development, regional connectivity, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

Finalization of Documents

• Several documents, such as Plans of Action for cooperation, new cooperation mechanisms, and collaboration with external partners, were finalized.

Upcoming BIMSTEC Summit

• The meeting also discussed issues related to the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

India’s Commitment

• The Indian delegation reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to BIMSTEC and its vision for a vibrant, prosperous, and robust region.

BIMSTEC’s Regional Role

• Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Paisan Rupanichkij, chaired the meeting, while Nepal was represented by Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai.

Past Commitment by India

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening ties with BIMSTEC, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Vision SAGAR, and Act East Policy.

Future Cooperation

• Areas for enhanced cooperation included maritime and digital connectivity, health, food security, trade, investment, energy, skill development, and people-to-people ties. The development of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence was also emphasized.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
Meeting Representation	India represented by Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), MEA.
Focus Areas of Discussion	Sustainable development, connectivity, security, people-to-people exchanges.
Documents Finalized	Plans of Action for cooperation, new mechanisms, external partner collaboration
Upcoming BIMSTEC Summit	Issues related to the 6th BIMSTEC Summit discussed.
India’s Commitment	India reiterated its commitment to BIMSTEC and its vision for a prosperous region.
Chairing of the Meeting	Chaired by Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Paisan Rupanichkij.
Nepal’s Representation	Amrit Rai, Acting Foreign Secretary, represented Nepal.
Jaishankar’s Past Remarks	Focused on strengthening ties, maritime and digital connectivity, and cooperation in health, food security, and trade.
India’s Policy Alignment	Commitment aligns with Neighbourhood First, Vision SAGAR, and Act East Policy.
Future Areas of Cooperation	Maritime & digital connectivity, health, trade, investment, capacity building, and BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence.