By The Sampadak Express
In light of reciprocal tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for regions to prioritize self-reliance and cooperation. Addressing the 20th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Ministerial, Jaishankar underscored that the world is transitioning into an era of self-help, where every region must focus on securing its own needs in critical areas such as food, fuel, fertilizers, vaccines, and disaster response.
Jaishankar noted, “The reality is that the world is moving to an era of self-help. Every region needs to look out for itself.” He pointed out that the significance of shorter supply chains and proximity to immediate neighbors is now more pronounced than ever.
The minister’s remarks come at a time when India is actively engaged in promoting regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, a multilateral organization that includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will witness the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Cooperation, further advancing the strategic ties among member nations.
Jaishankar stressed that the summit was taking place amid “very uncertain and volatile times,” with the global order undergoing significant shifts. He called for a more ambitious approach to BIMSTEC, noting that the emerging new global order is increasingly regional and issue-specific. “The era when a few powers underwrote the international system is now behind us. What we make of our prospects is very much dependent on ourselves,” he said, adding that, for developing nations facing multiple challenges, collaboration within BIMSTEC is key.
Focusing on India’s northeastern region, Jaishankar highlighted its growing role as a connectivity hub for the BIMSTEC region. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure projects like the Trilateral Highway, which will link India’s North East to the Pacific Ocean. “This is a game-changer for regional connectivity,” he stated.
The minister also pointed out that countries around the Bay of Bengal share common interests and concerns, rooted in history. He emphasized that the region’s potential in areas like connectivity, trade, and investment remains underutilized and that now is the time to harness both the region’s past and future to realize its true potential.
Jaishankar outlined India’s vision for BIMSTEC, describing it as the intersection of three critical initiatives: the Act East Policy, the Neighbourhood First approach, and the MAHA-SAGAR outlook. He also linked BIMSTEC’s progress to India’s broader Indo-Pacific commitments and emphasized that India’s role is to draw from these initiatives and synergize them with collective regional efforts.
The MAHA-SAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, which Prime Minister Modi unveiled in March, complements India’s earlier SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy. This vision aims to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean, with a focus on fostering regional security and development.
Through this strategic approach, India is working to strengthen regional cooperation, ensuring that BIMSTEC members can collectively face the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.
