Why in News? 

The 6^th BIMSTEC Summit was successfully held in Bangkok under Thailand’s chairmanship. 

 About BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) 

• It is a regional organization established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. 
• BIMSTEC is a sector-driven grouping comprising seven Member States: 
  Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. 
• The BIMSTEC Charter was finalized at the 5th Summit (2022) held in Sri Lanka. 

Key Outcomes of the 6^th BIMSTEC Summit

1. BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 

• A strategic plan aimed at building a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC by 2030. 
• Focus areas include economic integration, regional connectivity, and human security. 

2. Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement 

• Seeks to boost maritime connectivity between South and Southeast Asia, enhance logistical efficiency, and reduce trade costs. 

 Major India-led Initiatives 

• BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence 
  • India to establish centres in key areas like Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Agriculture Training & Research. 
• BODHI Programme 
  • (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure) 
  • A skill development initiative offering training and scholarships to professionals and students. 
• Digital Public Infrastructure Study 
  • India to conduct a pilot study on the feasibility and need for digital public infrastructure in the region. 
• BIMSTEC Games 2027 
  • India to host the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027 to enhance people-to-people linkages. 
• BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce 
  • Plan to establish a Chamber of Commerce with the annual BIMSTEC Business Summit for enhancing economic cooperation.