Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation? (Answer in 150 words)

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a sub-regional grouping of seven countries in South and Southeast Asia. It was established in 1997 with the goal of promoting economic, social, cultural, technical, and security cooperation among its members. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional grouping of eight countries in South Asia. It was established in 1985 with the goal of promoting economic, social, cultural, and technical cooperation among its members.

There are some similarities between BIMSTEC and SAARC. Both organizations are focused on promoting regional cooperation in South Asia. However, there are also some key differences between the two organizations. BIMSTEC is a newer organization with a smaller membership than SAARC. BIMSTEC also has a more focused agenda, with a greater emphasis on economic cooperation.

The similarities between BIMSTEC and SAARC include:

• Both organizations are focused on promoting regional cooperation in South Asia.
• Both organizations have a secretariat that is responsible for carrying out the work of the organization.
• Both organizations have planned to have a summit meeting biannually.

The dissimilarities between BIMSTEC and SAARC include:

• BIMSTEC is a newer organization with a smaller membership than SAARC.
• BIMSTEC has a more focused agenda than SAARC. BIMSTEC focuses on economic cooperation, while SAARC has a broader agenda that includes social, cultural, and technical cooperation.
• BIMSTEC includes two members from Southeast Asia (Myanmar and Thailand), while SAARC does not.
• Institutional structure: BIMSTEC has a more developed institutional structure than SAARC. BIMSTEC has a secretariat, a council of ministers, and a number of other bodies. SAARC has a secretariat and a council of ministers, but it does not have as many other bodies as BIMSTEC.
• Progress: BIMSTEC has made more progress in recent years than SAARC. BIMSTEC has established a free trade area, and it is working on a number of other initiatives, such as a regional connectivity plan and a regional disaster management plan. SAARC has not been as successful in implementing its initiatives.

BIMSTEC plays an important role in realizing India’s foreign policy objectives. The organization helps India to:

• Economic development: India has boosted trade and investment with BIMSTEC countries through the establishment of a free trade area in 2006. In 2020-21, India’s trade with BIMSTEC countries stood at $34.5 billion, with a trade surplus of $10.5 billion.
• Improved connectivity: India has agreed to develop a number of infrastructure projects with BIMSTEC countries, including roads, railways, and ports. These projects will help to reduce trade barriers and make it easier for people and goods to move between the countries. For example, the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway is expected to be completed in 2023.
• Addressing common challenges: India has cooperated with BIMSTEC countries on a number of issues, including terrorism, trafficking, and climate change. This cooperation has helped to promote stability and security in the region. For example, India has provided training to BIMSTEC countries on counter-terrorism and disaster management.
• Expanding strategic influence: India has used BIMSTEC to strengthen its ties with countries in Southeast Asia, which is an important region for India’s economic and strategic interests. India has hosted a number of BIMSTEC summits and has been active in promoting cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and security.

These are just some examples of how India has realized its foreign policy objectives through BIMSTEC. The organization has the potential to play an even greater role in the future as India seeks to expand its economic and strategic influence in the region.

• Economic development: India has boosted trade and investment with BIMSTEC countries through the establishment of a free trade area in 2006. India’s trade with BIMSTEC nations has been increasing steadily over the years, with a total trade volume of $42.8 billion in 2020–21, up from $39.4 billion in 2019–20, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Improved connectivity: India has agreed to develop a number of infrastructure projects with BIMSTEC countries, including roads, railways, and ports. These projects will help to reduce trade barriers and make it easier for people and goods to move between the countries. For example, the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway is expected to be completed in 2023.
• Addressing common challenges: India has cooperated with BIMSTEC countries on a number of issues, including terrorism, trafficking, and climate change. This cooperation has helped to promote stability and security in the region. For example, India has provided training to BIMSTEC countries on counter-terrorism and disaster management.
• Expanding strategic influence: India has used BIMSTEC to strengthen its ties with countries in Southeast Asia, which is an important region for India’s economic and strategic interests. India has hosted a number of BIMSTEC summits and has been active in promoting cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and security.

In my opinion, BIMSTEC is not a parallel organization to SAARC. Rather, it is a complementary organization that can play a valuable role in promoting regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia. India should continue to support both BIMSTEC and SAARC, and work with its neighbors to make both organizations more effective.

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