On 15 March 2023, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote address for the “BIMSTEC: The Way Ahead” Forum at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, after his recent participation at the inaugural session of the BIMSTEC Business Conclave 2023 in Kolkata to deliver Thailand’s statement.

In his remarks, VFM emphasized the potential of BIMSTEC. In terms of population, the region was home to 1.8 billion peoples, or almost 23 percent of the world’s population, and in terms of GDP, it was worth approximately 3.6 trillion USD. The value of BIMSTEC, in particular, was projected to greatly intensify with the signing of the BIMSTEC Charter last year, elevating BIMSTEC to a full-fledged functioning organization well-equipped for tackling future regional challenges.

Therefore, to further promote BIMSTEC as an effective and relevant organization amidst new multilateral challenges posed by the changing global landscape, Thailand proposed 3 solutions as the way ahead for BIMSTEC:

First, all member-states should come together to enhance regional interconnectedness. As the Lead Country in Connectivity, Thailand stood ready to cooperate with all member states, especially in the implementation of projects under the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, and the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation.

Second, the greater engagement of all stakeholders should be highlighted. In this regard, Thailand encouraged inclusive participation from all stakeholders in the institutional processes of BIMSTEC. Thailand also urged for the establishment of BIMSTEC Business Advisory Council as an independent body, comprising representatives from the BIMSTEC private sectors, to facilitate discussions of business-related issues and provide policy recommendations.

Third, BIMSTEC’s internal strength should be promoted through the Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Mechanisms, which set up a structural standard for BIMSTEC’s cooperation and interaction with external partners. In complementary to that, the Bangkok Vision 2023 should also be implemented to propel BIMSTEC towards a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open region in line with Thailand’s “PRO BIMSTEC” vision.

On the stage, VFM was also joined by other prominent speakers, including Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Chairman of the India Foundation; Ambassador Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs of India; Ambassador Preeti Saran, Former Secretary (East) and Member of the India Foundation’s Governing Council; and H.E. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India.

Co-organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi and India Foundation, “BIMSTEC: The Way Ahead” aimed to raise awareness of BIMSTEC and Thailand’s BIMSTEC Chairmanship for the term 2022/2023 especially among policy makers, high level officials of the Government of India, the private and academic sector, and Diplomatic Community stationed in New Delhi.