Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The SAARC and the BIMSTEC were established to enhance regional cooperation, but due to SAARC's stagnation from geo-political tensions, BIMSTEC has emerged as a more effective platform aligned with India’s Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.

BIMSTEC Emerging as an Alternative to SAARC:

• SAARC’s Political Challenges: SAARC’s progress has often been hampered by geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan.
  • Since the last SAARC summit held in 2014, ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have continued to hamper dialogue, stalling progress on regional cooperation.
  • In contrast, BIMSTEC's framework avoids the direct inclusion of contentious bilateral issues, as Pakistan is not a member, which allows for a more collaborative approach and greater effectiveness in pursuing development objectives.
• Geographical Aspect: While SAARC is confined to South Asia, BIMSTEC includes Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar and Thailand, offering a wider geographical scope for economic and strategic cooperation.
  • This broader reach aligns with India’s Look East Policy, now the Act East Policy, as BIMSTEC helps India engage more effectively.

Comparison in terms of Structure and Objectives:

BIMSTEC’s Alignment with India’s Foreign Policy:

• Regional Connectivity and Economic Integration: BIMSTEC plays a critical role in improving regional connectivity through projects like BBIN Initiative (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) enhance regional connectivity.
  • This is aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by improving infrastructure and fostering economic integration, vital for India’s North-Eastern development and broader regional growth.
• South-South Cooperation: BIMSTEC promotes South-South cooperation, central to India’s foreign policy, through initiatives like the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru and the BIMSTEC Business Forum, enhancing collaboration in energy and trade.
  • Strengthening BIMSTEC aligns with India’s strategy to counter China’s growing presence in the region.
• Security and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: With shared security concerns, especially on terrorism, BIMSTEC provides India a platform for cooperation through the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Working Group and disaster relief mechanisms.
  • This aligns with India’s regional security priorities and enhances its role as a stabilizing force in the region, especially in addressing common challenges like cross-border terrorism and natural disasters.

Conclusion

While BIMSTEC offers a more viable platform for economic cooperation, especially with Southeast Asia, SAARC remains significant for South Asian regional cooperation, though it faces challenges. BIMSTEC complements SAARC’s efforts and offers India a chance to pursue its foreign policy objectives of economic integration and regional stability.