5^th BIMSTEC Summit

The 5^th BIMSTEC Summit was held on 30^th March 2022 , Sri Lanka in a hybrid mode.

On 28^th and 29^th March, preparatory meetings were held at the Foreign Minister and Senior Official levels.

BIMSTEC member countries

India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal are member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Outcomes of the  Summit

1-The BIMSTEC Charter formalizes the BIMSTEC grouping into an organization that will have a flag, an emblem, and formally listed principles that are to be adhered to by the member nations.

2-USD 1 million will be provided by India to the BIMSTEC secretariat for increasing its operational budget.

3-The scope of the BIMSTEC scholarship program that is offered by the Nalanda International University is also being expanded.

The agreements signed

The agreements that were signed are:

1. 1-A BIMSTEC MoU on mutual cooperation for diplomatic training
2. 2-A BIMSTEC convention on mutual legal assistance related to criminal matters
3. 3- A MoA (Memorandum of Association )on the establishment of the BIMSTEC technology transfer facility.

Progress was also seen regarding the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’, being adopted.

The theme of the summit

“Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” is the summit’s theme.