Shri Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, spoke at DialogueNEXT, and underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges and promoting sustainable growth.
Opening his remarks with warmth, he noted the spirit of partnership that defines the platform: “I am truly delighted to be here today among what I would like to call a family—a family committed to cooperation, collaboration, and shared progress. In today’s complex global geopolitical context, the ‘sounds of cooperation’ are more important than ever before.”
A Regional Bridge Between South and Southeast Asia
Tracing the origins of the grouping, Shri Pandey highlighted that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was created in 1997 when Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand came together as founding members. Soon after, Myanmar joined, followed by Nepal and Bhutan.
“It was, in many ways, an expression of South Asia looking eastward, and Southeast Asia looking westward,” he said, underscoring BIMSTEC’s unique role as a bridge between two dynamic regions.
Today, BIMSTEC has evolved into a regional organisation with its own charter, covering 17 priority areas of cooperation, supported by conventions, agreements, and institutional mechanisms. Though not widely known, it has steadily advanced initiatives designed to foster closer integration.
Agriculture and Food Security at the Core
Agriculture has always been a central focus for BIMSTEC, given the shared vulnerabilities and challenges of its member states. Shri Pandey stressed that food security, fisheries, and livestock remain high priorities.
He pointed to the recent meeting of agriculture ministers from member countries, where an ambitious agenda was set, identifying four pillars of cooperation: Establishing a BIMSTEC Food Security Reserve, Creating a BIMSTEC Seed Bank, Advancing climate-resilient agriculture, and strengthening intra-regional agricultural trade
Equally important, he noted, is the creation of a network of research and development institutions across BIMSTEC. “India has offered to establish a Centre of Excellence for Cooperation in Agriculture, which will serve as a hub for advancing sustainable practices and fostering collaboration in this critical sector,” he shared.
Building on India’s Leadership in the Global South
Reflecting on India’s long-standing role in South–South cooperation, Shri Pandey emphasised its contribution through the ITEC programme. “Since the 1970s, India has trained thousands of professionals from developing countries, built capacity, and supported infrastructure creation. Such efforts embody the true spirit of South–South cooperation, which BIMSTEC seeks to advance at a regional level.”
By aligning with this tradition, BIMSTEC is working to ensure that cooperation across South Asia and Southeast Asia transitions from dialogue to concrete outcomes that strengthen resilience and sustainability.
Expanding the Scope of Cooperation
Beyond agriculture, BIMSTEC’s agenda covers a broad spectrum, including energy, connectivity, public health, digital innovation, and climate action. “For South Asia and Southeast Asia, this cooperation is not optional—it is essential,” Shri Pandey stressed.
He also acknowledged the valuable role of knowledge partners such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), which has been instrumental in supporting BIMSTEC initiatives over the years.
A Call for Action
Concluding his remarks, Shri Pandey reaffirmed the collective responsibility of the region to transform challenges into opportunities. “Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and cooperation into lasting progress,” he said, expressing optimism about deeper engagement with international and regional organisations.
Leave a Reply