India, BIMSTEC Sign Deal for Energy Hub in Bengaluru

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced the signing of an agreement to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka. MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumder and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey formalized the agreement, aiming to foster greater energy cooperation among BIMSTEC member states.

Agreement Highlights

Host Country Agreement Signed

• On November 11, 2024, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumder and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey signed a Host Country Agreement in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The agreement establishes the BIMSTEC Energy Centre, aiming to strengthen energy cooperation among member states.

Focus on Regional Connectivity

• MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Energy Centre will foster inter-grid connectivity across the Bay of Bengal region, promoting energy security and sustainable development.

Recent BIMSTEC Engagements

Raisina Down Under Participation

• On November 5, 2024, Secretary General Indramani Pandey attended the second edition of Raisina Down Under in Canberra, Australia.
• BIMSTEC highlighted the organization’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive development and proposed a dialogue platform for the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to BIMSTEC during a recent meeting of foreign ministers.
• Jaishankar highlighted India’s Neighborhood First Policy, Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and Act East Policy as central to India’s collaboration with BIMSTEC.

India’s Strategic Vision for BIMSTEC

Maritime and Digital Connectivity

• The informal meeting led by Jaishankar in New York focused on enhancing regional connectivity in physical, maritime, and digital sectors.
• BIMSTEC’s Centres of Excellence will be developed to strengthen ties in areas such as health, food security, trade, energy, and investment.

Skill and Capacity Building Initiatives

• BIMSTEC members explored opportunities for improving capacity building, skill development, and people-to-people engagement to foster stronger relations among member countries.

About BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)

Established

• June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.

Founding Members

• Initially formed with four members — Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Expanded Membership

• Nepal joined as an observer in 1998 and became a full member, along with Bhutan, in February 2004.

Current Members 

• Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Permanent Secretariat

• Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Aim

• BIMSTEC’s primary objective is to counter the impacts of globalization by accelerating regional growth through mutual cooperation, leveraging regional resources, and optimizing geographical advantages.

Areas of Cooperation

1. Sector-Driven Approach : Initially focused on six sectors — Trade, Technology, Energy, Transport, Tourism, and Fisheries.
2. Expanded Priority Areas : Currently includes 14 priority areas of cooperation, with Climate Change added as the 14th area in 2008.
3. Leadership by Member Countries : Each member country takes the lead on one or more of the priority areas.
4. India’s Lead Areas : Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management, and Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime.