Why in NEWS
India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam to promote regional maritime connectivity, sustainable development, and port-led growth in the Bay of Bengal region.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| BIMSTEC | Regional body for Bay of Bengal countries established in 1997 to promote economic and technical cooperation |
| AMTC | Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation signed in 2025 to facilitate seamless maritime trade among member states |
| KMTTP | Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project linking India’s Northeast to the Bay via Myanmar |
| Sagarmala | Indian initiative to promote port-led development and coastal infrastructure |
| IOCE-SMarT | Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport, focusing on green maritime policies |
Key Outcomes of 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave
| Outcome | Details |
|---|---|
| AMTC Implementation Urged | BIMSTEC members pushed to ratify and operationalise the Maritime Transport Cooperation agreement signed in Bangkok (2025) |
| Kaladan Corridor Highlighted | Recognised as vital for connecting India’s Northeast to Southeast Asia, bypassing Siliguri Corridor, reducing transport cost and time |
| New Maritime Centre in Mumbai | BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre to be launched to lead green innovation and policy harmonisation |
| Cruise Tourism Promotion | Focus on eco-sensitive cruise routes and PPP-led terminals for sustainable tourism across Bay of Bengal |
What is BIMSTEC?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 6 June 1997 via Bangkok Declaration |
| Original Name | BIST-EC (later BIMSTEC in 2004 after inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan) |
| Members | Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan |
| Secretariat | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Purpose | Promote economic, technical cooperation, and regional integration |
| Sectors (Post-2021) | Reorganised into 7 sectors; India leads the Security pillar including counter-terrorism and disaster management |
Significance for India
- Reinforces India’s maritime leadership and Sagarmala goals
- Aligns with Act East and Neighbourhood First policies
- Enhances Northeast India’s strategic connectivity via Kaladan project
- Promotes Indo-Pacific partnerships through BIMSTEC coordination
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: PORT-VIC
P – Promote Maritime Transport Agreement
O – Opportunity for Cruise Tourism
R – Regional Port-led Growth
T – Transit via Kaladan Project
V – Visakhapatnam Hosts Conclave
I – India leads Security Pillar
C – Centre in Mumbai for Sustainable Shipping
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following countries is not a BIMSTEC member?
A. Maldives
B. Nepal
C. Bhutan
D. Myanmar - What is the purpose of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project?
A. To connect West Bengal with Nepal
B. To link India’s Northeast with the Bay of Bengal via Myanmar
C. To build an expressway from Delhi to Dhaka
D. To promote fishing corridors in the Indian Ocean - What is the full form of AMTC in the context of BIMSTEC?
A. Asian Maritime Transport Corridor
B. Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation
C. ASEAN Marine Trade Council
D. Agreement on Marine Tourism Connectivity
Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the strategic and economic significance of BIMSTEC for India in the context of the 2nd Ports Conclave held in Visakhapatnam. (15 marks)
- How can regional maritime cooperation under BIMSTEC help realise India’s Sagarmala and Act East policy goals? Illustrate with examples. (15 marks)
Prelims Answer Key and Explanation
| Qn | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Maldives is not a BIMSTEC member; it is part of SAARC and IORA |
| 2 | B | KMTTP connects India’s Northeast to Bay of Bengal via Sittwe port in Myanmar |
| 3 | B | AMTC stands for Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation signed in 2025 |
