Bangkok (TDI): A few important initiatives, including a maritime transport cooperation pact, are expected at the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, happening this year in Thailand’s capital city.
BIMSTEC, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a multilateral bloc comprising Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and India.
The bloc has so far been least effective in bringing about any meaningful cooperation agreements and frameworks. It was founded in 1997 and since then, has only managed to hold five Summits.
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus arrived in Thailand yesterday and spoke as a keynote speaker at BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum, organized on the sidelines of the Summit.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivers keynote speech at BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum on the sidelines of BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday.
Photos: CA Press Wing pic.twitter.com/wLPInxauuK
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) April 3, 2025
India’s Prime Minister also arrived in Bangkok to take part in the Summit. Thailand confirmed the presence of all other leaders except the junta leader of Myanmar.
Owing to the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the junta leader might not be able to attend the Summit which will last till April 4th and commenced yesterday.
All BIMSTEC countries are geographically very significant when it comes to maritime routes but strategic differences have blocked the way of effective collaboration in technology and economy.
Read More: 50 Years of Diplomatic Ties: President Xi, Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Meet in Beijing
Bangladesh, under the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, aligned with India to a greater degree but the current interim government of Bangladesh is not under India’s influence.
Chief Advisor of Bangladesh chose China as his first official state visit and his arrival in Bangkok follows his presence at the Boao Forum for Asia held in China.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
