Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted in virtual mode by Sri Lanka, the current chair of BIMSTEC, on March 30. The following are the excerpts of his speech:
For centuries all our countries have been linked with civilization, history, art, language, food, and unbreakable bonds of our shared culture. On the one side, there is this Great Himalaya Mountain range and on the other side, there is the Bay of Bengal situated between the Indian and Pacific oceans. This area of the Bay of Bengal has a special significance for our development, security, and progress. And, therefore, it is no surprise that the culmination of both India’s “Neighborhood First” and “Act East”, happens in this region of the Bay of Bengal.
We are all developing countries. Peace, prosperity, and happiness in our respective countries are our biggest priorities. But in today’s interconnected world no one can achieve it alone by themselves. We must walk with each other. I believe that the biggest opportunity is Connectivity – Trade connectivity, Economic connectivity, Transport connectivity, Digital connectivity, and People-to-people connectivity. We will have to work on all the dimensions. We can also host meetings in the future for coastal shipping and motor vehicles agreements in BIMSTEC. India is ready to host BIMSTEC Start-Up Conclave to increase connectivity among our entrepreneurs. Most of us are primarily agricultural states and we are facing the threats of climate change. In this context, for cooperation in agricultural research, education, and development, India will organize an International Conference on Climate-Smart Farming Systems.
In the field of digital connectivity, India is already committed to enhancing its National Knowledge Network in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. We propose to increase it further to include Myanmar and Thailand also. I hope all BIMSTEC countries will be participating in India Mobile Congress being held in New Delhi this year.
This Congress also includes the BIMSTEC Ministerial Conclave. India’s North-Eastern Region will play an important role in increasing connectivity with BIMSTEC member countries. For the development of the Northeast region of India, we have an initiative called Science and Technology Interventions in the North-eastern Region. We propose to extend this program to BIMSTEC member countries. Similarly, we will also provide twenty-four scholarships to researchers, students, and professionals from BIMSTEC member countries in the North-eastern Space Application Centre of India.
A special link in our relations is Buddhism and contemplation. India will host an International Buddhist Conclave in August. I invite all the BIMSTEC member countries to participate in it as a Guest of Honor. To promote contact among our young people, India wishes to host a BIMSTEC Youth Summit and a BIMSTEC Band Festival. We can also organize a BIMSTEC Youth Water Sports along with them. For the young students of BIMSTEC countries, thirty scholarships at Nalanda University and 12 research fellowships for advanced medicine will also be given at the GIPMER institute.
It is necessary that there is an atmosphere of peace and security in our region for the success of our shared efforts for regional integration and economic progress and prosperity. The geographical location of our region is linked to the global maritime trade routes, and Blue Economy also has a special significance in all our economies. Along with that, the importance of the cyber economy will significantly increase for our economies in the coming digital era.
I welcome the upcoming BIMSTEC Multi-National Military Field Training Exercise and the Army Chief’s conclave that will be held in India next month. India will also host a Tri-Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise of BIMSTEC countries. India is also ready to host the second annual BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise. India will organize a Hackathon for youth from all BIMSTEC countries on Blue Economy. This will focus on the possibilities and cooperation in the Blue Economy.
None of us countries are such who have not faced problems of terrorism and transnational crimes connected to terrorist networks and drug trafficking. We are ready to organize a conference within the BIMSTEC framework on issues related to narcotics. We must be united to face them. And for that, we need to establish a framework of required rules and regulations. In this context cooperation of our lawmakers, especially women MPs can be very helpful. My proposal is that we should set up a special forum for BIMSTEC women MPs.
BIMSTEC has made remarkable progress in the last two decades. The Declaration of this fourth summit encompasses many important decisions. This will give a lot of strength to the organization and the process of BIMSTEC.
