Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Thailand from April 2 to 4, 2025, to attend the sixth BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in Bangkok. This will be Modi’s second visit to Thailand, following his 2019 trip for the ASEAN Summits, where he was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal.

Focus on BIMSTEC Vision 2030

The summit, held under Thailand’s chairmanship, aims to promote a “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open” region, known as PRO BIMSTEC by 2030. Key deliverables include:

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  • BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030
  • Report of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC
  • BIMSTEC Summit Declaration

Strengthening Regional Ties

BIMSTEC consists of seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The grouping focuses on enhancing cooperation across multiple areas, including:

  • Security and Counter-Terrorism
  • Disaster Management and Climate Change
  • Trade, Transport, and Economic Development
  • Energy and Food Security
  • Technology, Innovation, and Cybersecurity

Strong India-Thailand Relations

India and Thailand share warm bilateral relations, with diplomatic ties established in 1947. The two nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2022.

Enhancing Regional Cooperation

As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), BIMSTEC aims to build a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Bay of Bengal region. The summit will review progress in areas such as:

  • Maritime Security and Anti-Trafficking Efforts
  • Disaster Response and Energy Cooperation
  • Cultural and Youth Exchange Programs
  • Increased Trade and Investment

Economic and Demographic Significance

The BIMSTEC region represents over 1.7 billion people and has a combined GDP of USD 4.7 trillion, making it a crucial platform for fostering regional economic growth and security.