The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has recently found itself in the spotlight due to shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region, particularly following a controversial comment made by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen Yunus. His remark referring to Bangladesh as a ‘landlocked’ country during a recent conference has reignited discussions on maritime connectivity and regional cooperation. As such, the need for a maritime agreement among BIMSTEC countries has never been more urgent.
The BIMSTEC, comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal, was originally formed to boost multi-sectoral cooperation across areas such as trade, energy, transport, and the environment. While the group has historically focused on economic and cultural cooperation, the strategic importance of maritime cooperation has gained newfound relevance, especially in light of Yunus’s comments.
The ‘Landlocked’ Comment and Its Significance
During a diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Yunus remarked that Bangladesh, despite its coastal location along the Bay of Bengal, was effectively ‘landlocked’ due to limited access to international shipping routes. This remark stirred significant debate, as it pointed to one of the enduring challenges Bangladesh faces: limited direct access to the wider global shipping network. Despite having a coastline along one of the most important seas in Asia, Bangladesh’s maritime potential remains underutilized, largely due to its complex relationship with neighboring countries regarding maritime access and territorial waters.
Yunus’s comment highlighted a sense of urgency for Bangladesh to better leverage its geographical position and enhance its maritime connectivity. The statement also brought to the forefront the broader maritime concerns of other BIMSTEC nations, many of whom are seeking to strengthen their regional maritime cooperation for both economic and security reasons.
The Strategic Need for a BIMSTEC Maritime Pact
BIMSTEC countries, with their diverse economic and geographic landscapes, are already interconnected through vital sea routes. The Bay of Bengal serves as a key international shipping lane that is crucial for global trade, particularly between South and Southeast Asia. However, many of the BIMSTEC member states—such as landlocked Nepal and Bhutan—do not have direct access to the sea, creating logistical challenges for trade and economic growth. Even Bangladesh, despite its proximity to the Bay, faces limitations in terms of international maritime trade routes due to outdated infrastructure and geopolitical challenges.
This backdrop has made a regional maritime agreement crucial for addressing not only trade bottlenecks but also the growing concerns around regional security and sustainable development. A maritime pact would allow BIMSTEC countries to pool their resources and expertise in maritime trade, port development, and security, which would benefit all members, particularly those with limited access to global maritime channels.
Enhancing Maritime Connectivity in the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal has long been considered a strategic and economic asset for South and Southeast Asia. It serves as the gateway for countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka to the Indian Ocean, connecting them to global shipping routes. However, maritime cooperation among BIMSTEC nations has been inconsistent, with many countries dealing with their own set of challenges related to infrastructure, legal frameworks, and security concerns.
A BIMSTEC maritime agreement would address many of these issues by creating a unified framework for enhancing connectivity between the member states. Such a pact could enable shared development of port infrastructure, standardization of shipping regulations, and greater collaboration in navigating the complex legal aspects of maritime borders. With growing trade in the region and expanding maritime activity in the Bay of Bengal, improving connectivity is not just about boosting trade; it is also critical to maintaining regional stability and preventing conflicts over maritime boundaries.
For countries like Bhutan and Nepal, which rely heavily on access to ports in neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh for their trade, an integrated approach to maritime connectivity would significantly improve the flow of goods and reduce transportation costs. Similarly, for Bangladesh, enhancing its maritime access through a cohesive regional framework could ensure better access to global markets and prevent its shipping lanes from being bottlenecked.
Securing Maritime Interests and Regional Stability
The importance of maritime security cannot be overstated in the context of growing global trade and geopolitical shifts. The Bay of Bengal is strategically vital, not only for its trade routes but also for its significance in regional security. Increased Chinese influence in the region, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has made regional cooperation in maritime affairs even more pressing.
By establishing a maritime pact, BIMSTEC nations can improve their collective ability to address security challenges such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. A joint maritime security framework would allow member states to collaborate on surveillance, intelligence sharing, and response mechanisms, ensuring that the Bay of Bengal remains a secure environment for all stakeholders.
Furthermore, a regional pact would strengthen BIMSTEC’s position in broader international maritime discussions. As maritime issues become increasingly critical to global trade and security, having a unified voice from BIMSTEC would enhance its leverage in multilateral forums and negotiations.
A Step Toward Regional Integration
In the wake of Yunus’s comment, it is clear that the time has come for BIMSTEC to focus more seriously on maritime cooperation. While the regional grouping has made strides in economic cooperation, a dedicated maritime agreement would further integrate the nations in the region and unlock untapped potential, particularly in the realm of trade and security. By improving maritime connectivity and ensuring equitable access to the Bay of Bengal’s vast resources, BIMSTEC countries can enhance their economic growth while ensuring greater regional stability.
A BIMSTEC maritime pact would not only address immediate concerns related to trade and infrastructure but would also position the region as a unified maritime power on the global stage. As the Bay of Bengal continues to grow in geopolitical and economic importance, the need for a coordinated maritime approach has never been more crucial.