From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: BIMSTEC;
Mains level: Significance of BIMSTEC for all member countries;
Why in the News?
The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that with the establishment of its inaugural charter on May 20th, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will now accept new members and observers.
About BIMSTEC:
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Adoption of the Charter:
- After years of deliberation, the BIMSTEC leaders adopted the organization’s first charter during their 5th summit.
- This charter provides a legal framework for the group, granting it a “legal personality” and enabling the structured diplomatic dialogue with other countries and regional groupings.
- In the context of international organizations like BIMSTEC, obtaining legal personality means that the organization is recognized as a legal entity in its own right, separate from its member states.
Significance of BIMSTEC for all member countries:
The charter’s implementation enhances cooperation and deeper integration within the Bay of Bengal region, benefiting all member states economically and strategically.
- Enhanced Cooperation: With the charter in place, member countries can engage in more structured and organized cooperation across various sectors such as security, connectivity, trade, agriculture, environment, science and technology, and people-to-people contact.
- Strengthened Regional Integration: The charter facilitates deeper integration within the Bay of Bengal region. By establishing common goals and mechanisms for cooperation, it promotes economic growth, social development, and cultural exchange among member countries.
- Diplomatic Dialogue: The charter enables BIMSTEC to enter into structured diplomatic dialogue with other countries and regional groupings. This opens up avenues for broader engagement and partnership, enhancing the geopolitical significance of the BIMSTEC platform.
Challenges in the present world context:
- Historical Discord: Long-standing historical discord between member states, such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, presents a challenge to cohesive cooperation within BIMSTEC. These tensions can hinder progress on joint initiatives and impede the organization’s effectiveness.
- Geopolitical Complexities: Geopolitical complexities, exacerbated by events like the Rohingya refugee crisis and the coup in Myanmar, add layers of complexity to regional dynamics.
- These complexities can strain relationships between member states and complicate efforts to foster collaboration and integration within BIMSTEC.
- Stagnation of SAARC: While BIMSTEC offers an alternative platform for regional cooperation, the near stagnation of SAARC underscores the challenges faced by regional organizations in fostering meaningful collaboration.
Way forward:
- Need a Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Implement effective conflict resolution mechanisms to address historical discord and tensions between member states.
- High Diplomatic Engagement: Encourage regular diplomatic engagement and dialogue between member states to address geopolitical complexities and build trust.
Mains PYQ
Q Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organization like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organization? (UPSC IAS/2022)
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