BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organisation connecting South Asia with South-East Asia. It has seven members- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. Since it links India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy and the Bay of Bengal region, BIMSTEC plays an important role in accelerating regional cooperation and promoting the economic development of North-East India.
BIMSTEC contributes to regional cooperation in South-East Asia in several ways
Role in Accelerating Regional Cooperation
- Bridge between South Asia and South-East Asia: BIMSTEC connects the Himalayan region, Indian Ocean region and South-East Asia. It provides a platform for cooperation without the India-Pakistan deadlock that affects SAARC.
- Connectivity and transport: BIMSTEC promotes road, rail, port, coastal shipping and inland waterway connectivity. At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in 2025, members signed the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which aims to improve regional maritime connectivity, trade and travel.
- Trade and investment: BIMSTEC can improve regional value chains in agriculture, fisheries, textiles, pharmaceuticals, tourism, food processing and digital services. It also supports discussions on trade facilitation and investment cooperation.
- Energy cooperation: The BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection framework can support cross-border electricity trade, renewable energy cooperation and energy security.
- Security cooperation: BIMSTEC helps member countries cooperate on terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime, disaster management, maritime security and organised crime in the Bay of Bengal.
- People-to-people ties: Cooperation in culture, tourism, education, public health and technology strengthens trust among member countries.
Significance of BIMSTEC for North-East India
The significance of BIMSTEC is very high for North-East India because the region is India’s natural gateway to South-East Asia.
- Market access: North-East India can access markets in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and beyond through BIMSTEC connectivity.
- Connectivity projects: Projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, Agartala-Akhaura rail link and inland waterways through Bangladesh can reduce the region’s landlocked disadvantage.
- Trade and logistics: Assam and other North-Eastern states can benefit from border trade, warehousing, logistics, food processing and export of tea, bamboo, fruits, spices, handloom and handicrafts.
- Tourism development: BIMSTEC can promote Buddhist tourism, eco-tourism, tea tourism, river tourism and cultural circuits involving North-East India and South-East Asia.
- Investment and employment: Improved connectivity can attract investment in agro-processing, renewable energy, hospitality, digital services and small industries.
- Strategic importance: BIMSTEC strengthens India’s presence in the Bay of Bengal and helps balance China’s growing influence in the region.
Challenges of BIMSTEC in Regional Cooperation and Northeast Development
- Slow implementation of connectivity projects: Key projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project have faced delays, limiting the full economic benefit for North-East India.
- Political instability in Myanmar: Myanmar is geographically crucial for connecting India with South-East Asia. However, internal conflict and political uncertainty affect trade routes, border security and project execution.
- Weak institutional mechanism: BIMSTEC has fewer strong institutions compared to ASEAN or the EU. This slows decision-making, monitoring and implementation of regional agreements.
- Low intra-regional trade: Despite geographical proximity, trade among BIMSTEC countries remains below potential due to tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers, poor logistics and weak customs coordination.
- Security and border challenges: Insurgency, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal migration and porous borders create risks for regional cooperation and affect the smooth economic integration of North-East India.
Conclusion
Thus, BIMSTEC is a vital platform for connecting South Asia with South-East Asia. For India, it supports Act East Policy, maritime security and regional cooperation. For North-East India, it can transform the region from a landlocked frontier into a trade, connectivity and investment hub. However, its success depends on faster connectivity projects, stronger institutions, stable borders and deeper economic integration.
