Reconciliation and Cooperation: The Hindu Editorial on Power Imbalance in BIMSTEC

adopt the Charter Feather 5th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit The 25-year-old promises to re-energize the group in times of rising global uncertainties. The charter is expected to help provide a more connected approach to the seven-member organization. The Charter, and India’s decision to lead the ‘Security Pillar’ out of the seven designated pillars of the revived BIMSTEC, have given a new orientation to India’s regional aspirations, away from the stagnant SAARC that has been unable to meet since November 2014. The new opportunity also comes with its own set of problems. These inherent challenges were reflected in the time taken to finalize the Charter – one of the key factors was the Rohingya crisis which has undermined bilateral Bangladesh-Myanmar relations, Dhaka seeking full repatriation of refugees and Naypyidaw. Reluctant to respond affirmatively to international arguments. Unlike SAARC, which is burdened by India-Pakistan animosity, BIMSTEC is relatively free of intense bilateral disagreements and promises to provide India with a cooperative sector of its own. Given the complexity of domestic and geopolitical factors, continuing bilateral and group-level discussions will be needed to prevent problems such as the Rohingya crisis in the region from hindering the smooth delivery of economic and security outcomes. India must also ensure continued political engagement with partners such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh alike to prevent any domestic political spillovers from affecting bilateral and group-level working relations.

With his call for a BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined India’s vision to strengthen trade linkages in the grouping. An FTA spread across marine resource-rich members such as Myanmar and Sri Lanka can bring dramatic benefits to all members. A ‘coastal shipping ecosystem’ and an interconnected electricity grid, in addition to the adopted master plan for transport connectivity, have the potential to boost intra-regional trade and economic ties. New Delhi’s desire to locate an FTA within the framework of the near-domestic regional grouping could provide more accommodation for multilateral interests, having moved away from large trading blocs such as the China-led RCEP. Security and trade-related lessons from the turbulent SAARC and SAFTA experiences should also serve BIMSTEC well in the long run. Ultimately, however, for the revived grouping to realize its trade and economic potential, India will have to play a leadership role in alleviating any fears among smaller members of intragroup power imbalances and greater cross-border connectivity and investment flows. Will try to reduce it. Obstacles to the movement of people and goods.