On March 15, 2023, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Vijavat Isarabhakdidelivered a keynote address for the “BIMSTEC: The Way Forward” Forum at the India Habitats Centre, New Delhi, following his recent participation in the inaugural session of the BIMSTEC Business Conclave 2023 in Kolkata to deliver Thailand’s statement .
In his speech, he emphasized the potential of BIMSTEC. In terms of population, the region was home to 1.8 billion people, or almost 23% of the world’s population, and in terms of GDP, it was worth approximately USD 3.6 trillion. The value of BIMSTEC, in particular, was greatly enhanced by the signing of the BIMSTEC Charter last year, elevating BIMSTEC to a fully functioning organization well equipped to meet future regional challenges.
Proposals from Thailand
Therefore, to further promote BIMSTEC as an effective and relevant organization amid the new multilateral challenges posed by the changing global landscape, Thailand proposed 3 solutions as the way forward for BIMSTEC:
Firstly, all Member States must come together to improve regional interconnection. As a leading country in connectivity, Thailand is ready to cooperate with all Member States, especially in the implementation of projects under the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity and the Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement.
Thai Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Official Visit to India to Attend BIMSTEC Business Conclave 2023
Secondly, it is worth noting the greater commitment of all interested parties. In this regard, Thailand encouraged the inclusive participation of all stakeholders in BIMSTEC institutional processes. Thailand also urged the establishment of the BIMSTEC Business Advisory Council as an independent body, comprised of representatives from BIMSTEC’s private sectors, to facilitate discussions on business-related issues and provide policy recommendations.
Third, the internal strength of BIMSTEC should be promoted through the BIMSTEC Mechanism Regulation, which sets a structural standard for BIMSTEC cooperation and interaction with external partners. As a complement, the Bangkok Vision 2023 should also be applied to drive BIMSTEC towards a prosperous, resilient and open region, in line with the “PRO BIMSTEC” vision of Thailand.
As a leading connectivity country, Thailand stands ready to cooperate with all Member States
On stage, the vice minister was joined by other prominent speakers including Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Chairman of the India Foundation; Ambassador Saurabh Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India; Ambassador Preeti Saran, former secretary and member of the Governing Council of the India Foundation; and HE Md. Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India.
Jointly organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi and the India Foundation, “BIMSTEC: The Way Forward” aimed to raise awareness of BIMSTEC and the Thai BIMSTEC Chairmanship for 2022/2023 especially among policy makers, officials senior officials from the Government of India, the private sector and academia, and the diplomatic community stationed in New Delhi.
