At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a 21-point action plan to improve cooperation among the seven member countries. These countries are India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
BIMSTEC Summit 2025 Highlights: Digital Payments and Trade
One of the most important announcements at the BIMSTEC Summit was the proposal to link IndiaтАЩs Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the digital payment systems of other member countries.
Modi also suggested that BIMSTEC nations should start trading in local currencies to save on exchange costs and help small businesses and tourists.
BIMSTEC Summit 2025 Plans: Business and Economy
To boost business in the region, the Prime Minister proposed:
- A BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce to connect companies from different countries.
- An annual business meet to discuss trade and investments.
- Focus on using new technologies for better regional development.
BIMSTEC Summit Action: Disaster Management
Modi suggested setting up a Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India. This center will help member nations prepare and respond to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. India will also host a joint disaster management training this year.
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BIMSTEC Summit 2025 Step: Space and Satellite Projects
India offered support to help BIMSTEC nations in the space sector. Plans include:
- Making and launching nano-satellites.
- Sharing remote sensing data for farming, planning, and environment.
- Training people through new ground stations.
BIMSTEC Summit Youth Program: BODHI
Modi introduced a new youth program named BODHI (BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure).
Under this:
Up to 300 students and professionals from member nations will get training in India every year.
Scholarships will be given in areas like agriculture, environment, and traditional medicine.
BIMSTEC Summit Support: Health and Cancer Care
India offered to start a special training program for cancer care. The aim is to improve healthcare services and give member countries better medical knowledge and support.
BIMSTEC Summit Focus: Security Cooperation
To improve regional safety, Modi proposed the first meeting of the BIMSTEC Home MinistersтАЩ Mechanism in India. This group will work together on:
- Cyber security
- Terrorism
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
BIMSTEC Summit for Culture and Sports
To strengthen cultural ties, India will host:
- A Traditional Music Festival
- A BIMSTEC Athletics Meet this year
- The first BIMSTEC Games in 2027, marking the groupтАЩs 30th anniversary
- India will also organize youth events like a Young LeadersтАЩ Summit, a hackathon, and a Young Professional Visitors Programme.
BIMSTEC Summit Maritime Pact: Better Sea Trade
The BIMSTEC countries signed a Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement. This will:
- Help ships move easily between countries
- Improve sea trade
- Reduce the cost of transporting goods
BIMSTEC Summit Vision 2030
The group adopted a new plan called Bangkok Vision 2030, which sets long-term goals for peace, prosperity, and progress in the region. The aim is to make BIMSTEC stronger and more united in the coming years.
Conclusion: A New Beginning for BIMSTEC
PM ModiтАЩs 21-point action plan at the BIMSTEC Summit shows India’s strong support for regional development. The plan includes cooperation in areas like digital trade, space, disaster response, health, youth training, and security. This summit is a big step towards a more connected, peaceful, and growing South and Southeast Asia.
