Context:
6th BIMSTEC Summit concluded in Bangkok under the chairmanship of Thailand
Key Outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit:
- BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 – 1st-ever strategic plan aimed at achieving a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by 2030.
- Focuses on economic integration, improved connectivity, and enhanced human security.
- Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation – Aims to strengthen maritime connectivity between South and Southeast Asia.
- Expected to improve logistical efficiency and significantly reduce trade costs.
Major India-Led Initiatives:
- BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence – Proposed to be established in India focusing on –
- Disaster Management.
- Sustainable Maritime Transport.
- Traditional Medicine.
- Research and Training in Agriculture.
- BODHI Programme (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure) – Aims to train and skill the youth through scholarships and training programs for professionals, students, and researchers.
- Digital Public Infrastructure – India to undertake a pilot study to assess the need for digital public infrastructure in the BIMSTEC region.
- Strengthening People-to-People Linkages – India will host the 1st-ever BIMSTEC Games in 2027 to foster stronger ties among member nations.
- BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce – To promote business collaboration, a BIMSTEC Business Summit will be organized annually.
Read more on BIMSTEC
Source: PMINDIA
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements about G-20:
1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)