India Hosts 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

India recently hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, focusing on enhancing maritime connectivity and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal region. This event underscores India's growing leadership in the maritime sector, aligns with the Sagarmala initiative aimed at port-led growth, and strengthens its position in the Indo-Pacific.

Theme of the 2025 BIMSTEC Ports Conclave:

"Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships"

This theme highlights the importance of promoting a blue economy that is sustainable and leverages innovation to strengthen economic and technical cooperation among BIMSTEC countries. It sets the stage for achieving a more interconnected and eco-conscious maritime future.

Key Outcomes of the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave:

1. Push to Implement AMTC (BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation)

• Ratification Urged: The member countries were urged to ratify and implement the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), which was signed during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in 2025 (Bangkok).

• Goals of AMTC:

  • Enhance port-led growth across BIMSTEC nations.

  • Promote maritime trade and tourism in the region.

  • Focus on skill development within the maritime sector.

The AMTC agreement is a key step toward fostering smoother cooperation among the member countries in maritime transport and trade, with an emphasis on connectivity and economic integration.

2. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

• Strategic Corridor: The KMTTP was highlighted as a key project that links India’s Northeast with the Bay of Bengal, a vital route for India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.

• Project Components:

  • Waterway: A river transport route on Myanmar’s Kaladan River (from Sittwe to Paletwa).

  • Road: A road connecting Paletwa to Zorinpui at the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.

• Importance: The project helps bypass the Siliguri Corridor (also known as the "Chicken's Neck"), reducing transport costs and time for goods moving between India’s eastern ports and the Northeast, improving overall regional connectivity.

3. BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre (Mumbai)

• A new Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre will be established under the Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT).

• Key Focus Areas:

  • Policy harmonisation to ensure consistent regulations across the BIMSTEC region.

  • Green transition in maritime operations to reduce environmental impact.

  • Digital innovation in the maritime sector to improve efficiency and sustainability.

This initiative will position BIMSTEC as a forward-thinking region in terms of sustainable maritime practices, embracing green technologies and policies for future growth.

4. Emphasis on Cruise Tourism Potential

• The Conclave emphasized the development of eco-sensitive cruise routes and promoted the idea of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of cruise terminals.

• The goal is to position the Bay of Bengal as a premier sustainable tourism corridor, boosting eco-friendly tourism and creating new avenues for economic growth through cruise tourism.

By highlighting sustainability in cruise tourism, the region aims to attract global attention as a premier travel destination while protecting the environment.

What is BIMSTEC?

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional cooperation organization that brings together countries in the Bay of Bengal region. It was established on 6th June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.

Purpose:

The primary aim of BIMSTEC is to foster economic and technical cooperation among the Bay of Bengal countries.

Evolution:

• Originally: BIMSTEC began as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation).

• Expansion: In 1997, Myanmar joined the group, making it BIMSTEC.

• Further Expansion: In 2004, Nepal and Bhutan were included.

• BIMSTEC Secretariat: Established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, at the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit in 2014.

Sectors of Cooperation:

Initially, BIMSTEC cooperated in six sectors:

1. Trade

2. Technology

3. Energy

4. Transport

5. Tourism

6. Fisheries

Since then, BIMSTEC has expanded its scope to include:

• Agriculture

• Public health

• Counter-terrorism

• Environment

• Climate change

In 2021, the sectors were reorganized, with each member state now leading specific areas. India, for example, leads the Security pillar of BIMSTEC, which focuses on counter-terrorism, transnational crime, disaster management, and energy cooperation.

Significance of BIMSTEC Ports Conclave for India

• Strengthening Maritime Cooperation: The 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave bolsters India’s leadership in Bay of Bengal maritime cooperation, aligning with India’s Sagarmala project for port-led growth and enhancing connectivity.

• Indo-Pacific Role: This conclave also enhances India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring stronger ties with neighboring countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, fostering both economic and strategic partnerships.

• Economic Opportunities: The focus on maritime trade, tourism, and sustainable development opens new opportunities for India to play a crucial role in regional economic growth.

Conclusion

The 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam represents a significant step towards strengthening maritime connectivity, economic cooperation, and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal region. It highlights India's commitment to fostering regional cooperation, enhancing its maritime infrastructure, and playing a leading role in the Indo-Pacific. With initiatives like the Kaladan Corridor and the Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre, BIMSTEC is paving the way for more integrated and green maritime trade across the region, benefiting both India and its partners.