Thailand hosted the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Regional Summit from April 2 to 4, which includes Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. BIMSTEC 2025 endorsed Thailand’s “Bangkok Vision 2030” for the regional bloc under the theme “PRO BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open by 2030”.
BIMSTEC leaders signed off on the 6th BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit Declaration to reaffirm the countries’ commitment to the Bangkok Vision 2030 for regional development. BIMSTEC members also supported the need for the establishment of a “BIMSTEC Disaster Management Center” given the recent March 28 Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. BIMSTEC 2025 led to the endorsement of the Maritime Transportation Cooperation Agreement to enhance the existing maritime trade routes by reducing costs and improving supply chains within the region.
Thailand has proposed the establishment of a BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) to unlock the regional bloc’s economic and commercial potential as the region makes up nearly a quarter of the world’s population. The summit highlighted the importance of accelerating the completion of the international highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand, while also promoting the Thailand Land Bridge Project to connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Bay of Bengal. Additionally, Thailand proposed for the creation of a “BIMSTEC Tropical Medicine Excellence Center” and a “BIMSTEC Business Advisory Council”.
Bilateral relations between Thailand and other members of the bloc showed signs of significant improvement as the kingdom marks first visits in several years from respective leaders. India and Thailand have agreed to a strategic partnership on defense cooperation and committed to accelerate the 1,300 km highway project. Thailand signed 8 MoUs and MoAs with Nepal to elevate bilateral cooperation centered around tourism and education. Thailand and Bhutan signed off on a landmark Free Trade Agreement on the sidelines of the regional summit, further strengthening economic ties within the region.
