BIMSTEC First-Ever Traditional Music Festival

Recently, the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the BIMSTEC member countries.

About BIMSTEC

Formation and Purpose:

Full Name: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
Inception: BIMSTEC came into existence on June 6, 1997, following the Bangkok Declaration.

BIMSTEC serves as a platform for regional cooperation, connecting countries from both South Asia and Southeast Asia with shared interests in enhancing economic and technical cooperation in multiple sectors.

Membership:

BIMSTEC is a unique organization that connects South Asia and Southeast Asia.
- South Asia Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- Southeast Asia Members: Myanmar and Thailand.

This partnership brings together 1.7 billion people, or 22% of the world’s population, and a combined GDP of US$ 5 trillion.

BIMSTEC’s Operational Mechanism:

BIMSTEC organizes intergovernmental interactions through a variety of meetings to promote cooperation and coordination:

Summits
Ministerial Meetings
Senior Officials Meetings
Permanent Working Committee
Joint Working Groups
Experts Level Meetings

These interactions address key regional and global issues such as economic development, security cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Permanent Secretariat:

Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it coordinates the activities and initiatives of BIMSTEC.

Priority Areas of Cooperation

BIMSTEC focuses on 14 priority areas, with each member country taking the lead in specific areas. India is a key player, leading efforts in the following domains:

Transport & Communication
Tourism
Environment & Disaster Management
Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime

The collaboration in these areas is designed to promote regional connectivity, sustainable development, and security cooperation across the Bay of Bengal region.

Significance of the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival

The BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival held in New Delhi exemplifies the organization's growing focus on cultural diplomacy and strengthening ties between its member states. By promoting cultural exchanges, BIMSTEC enhances mutual understanding and trust, which are essential for cooperation in other sectors.

Source: PIB

Join Our Telegram

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

India–Azerbaijan

05 Apr, 26
SHARE

A year after tensions arising from Operation Sindoor, India and Azerbaijan have taken steps to restore and normalise bilateral relations. The 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations, held in Baku, marked the first such engagement since 2022, signaling renewed diplomatic momentum. Recent Diplomatic Engagement During the consultations, bo

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

04 Apr, 26
SHARE

The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has completed four years since its signing. Both countries now aim to build on this progress through strengthened collaboration and ambitious targets, including reaching AUD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. What is the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Tra

ADR Report on Political Funding

03 Apr, 26
SHARE

A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analyses donations of ?20,000 or more declared to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by national political parties for FY 2024–25, highlighting transparency and accountability in political financing. Key Findings Massive Funding Surge Total donations to nationa

Maritime Chokepoints

03 Apr, 26
SHARE

Maritime chokepoints are narrow channels along global shipping routes where maritime traffic is concentrated. These points are geopolitically and economically critical, as they handle a large proportion of global trade, especially energy shipments. Current Relevance Over two-thirds of seaborne energy trade passes through a handful o

US-Israel-Iran War

01 Apr, 26
SHARE

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel), the geopolitical landscape has shifted fundamentally with the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran retaliated through Operation True Promise 4, launching missile attacks against Israel and nearby Gulf states. The escala