India’s New Initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit

Source: News on Air

Context: At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Prime Minister of India announced a series of India-led initiatives for regional institution building, capacity development and youth skilling across BIMSTEC member countries.

About India’s New Initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit:

• BODHI Initiative (Human Resource Development):

• Full form: BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure Trains 300 youth annually from BIMSTEC countries in India. Scholarships for students at Nalanda University and Forest Research Institute. Annual training for young diplomats from the region.

• Full form: BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure

• Trains 300 youth annually from BIMSTEC countries in India.

• Scholarships for students at Nalanda University and Forest Research Institute.

• Annual training for young diplomats from the region.

Note: This is very important from exam perspective. Remember the name, full form and details of BODHI initiative.

• BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence:

• New centres in India for: Disaster Management Sustainable Maritime Transport Traditional Medicine Agriculture Research & Farmer Training

• Disaster Management

• Sustainable Maritime Transport

• Traditional Medicine

• Agriculture Research & Farmer Training

• Digital Public Infrastructure & Fintech Integration:

• Pilot study to assess digital needs of BIMSTEC countries. Proposal to link India’s UPI with regional payment systems for financial inclusion.

• Pilot study to assess digital needs of BIMSTEC countries.

• Proposal to link India’s UPI with regional payment systems for financial inclusion.

• Economic Integration & Trade Facilitation:

• Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce. Annual BIMSTEC Business Summit to be held in India. Feasibility study on local currency trade among member nations.

• Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.

• Annual BIMSTEC Business Summit to be held in India.

• Feasibility study on local currency trade among member nations.

• Regional Security & Space Cooperation:

• First-ever Home Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted by India. Nano-satellite programme, ground stations, and remote sensing data sharing.

• First-ever Home Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted by India.

• Nano-satellite programme, ground stations, and remote sensing data sharing.

• Energy & Connectivity:

• Operationalisation of BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru. Push for electric grid interconnections to ensure energy security.

• Operationalisation of BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru.

• Push for electric grid interconnections to ensure energy security.

• Youth, Culture & Sports Diplomacy:

• BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon, and Visitors Programme. Hosting BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025) and BIMSTEC Games (2027). BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to promote cultural ties.

• BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit, Hackathon, and Visitors Programme.

• Hosting BIMSTEC Athletics Meet (2025) and BIMSTEC Games (2027).

• BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to promote cultural ties.