Green shoots of revival

Green shoots of revival

Article:

1. Rajiv Bhatia, a former Ambassador has talked aboutoutcomes of 4^th BIMSTEC summit.

Important Analysis

2. The 4^th BIMSTEC summit in Nepal has ended with some hope and doubts.

3. Author has made the evaluation on the basis of past performance.Last two years seems to be promising for BIMSTEC meet.

4. Author has discussed positive outcomes of the Summit and the concern in the same context.

5. Positive outcomes.

• Various stakeholders like BIMSTEC leaders, officials, experts and business shown strong desire for institutional foundation.
• Drafting charter for BIMSTEC which will be the foundation of working of BIMSTEC grouping in future.
• So far it was based on the Bangkok Deceleration of 1997.
• Setup of Permanent working committee and Rule of Procedure to provide the directions.
• Additional finance and human resources promised to the secretariat to enhance its role.
• Provision for BIMSTEC development fund to enhance the efficiency.
• Narrow down the area of cooperation currently from 16 to few core areas for better coordination and effectiveness.
• Thailand has proposed five pillars to focus on namely (viz. connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contacts, security, and science and technology).

6. Concern raised by Authors.

• Six legal agreements pending for approval. Only one, the Memorandum of Understanding on Grid Interconnection could be formalized.
• Discussion on Free Trade Agreement was not convincing among BIMSTEC members.
• Only Thai Prime Minister call for Free Trade Zone for BIMSTEC by 2021 as a common goal.
• Delay in operationalization of Energy center which was established in 2009 by members.
• Indian Prime Minister has been continuously emphasizing ontrade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity.
• However delay in finalizingMotor Vehicle Agreement and the Coastal Shipping Agreement is a matter of concern.
• Group is not clear about holding BIMSTEC summit whether it should be annually or timely based on the degree of progress.

7. Author has also discussed present status in various sector.

• Plans to restore the Business Forum and the Economic Forum for better engagement of business and industry.
• Cooperation in security domain has been progressing satisfactorily.
• Meeting of National Security Advisors and First meeting of Army chiefs in coming months.
• Establishment of forums for parliamentarians, universities, cultural organizations and the media community.
• Security, connectivity and development has been seen as a common goal.

8. Finally Nepalese Prime Minister has urged the commitments from all grouping member to deliver on common goals.