Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in two crucial diplomatic engagements in April 2025:
  • 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4.
  • Official visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6.
• These visits align with India’s Act East, MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), and Neighbourhood First

India at the BIMSTEC Summit:

• Significance of BIMSTEC for India
  • BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) aims to enhance regional cooperation in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Inclusion of Thailand and Myanmar is strategically vital for India's Northeast development and connectivity.
  • India is the largest financial contributor to the BIMSTEC Secretariat and hosts:
    • BIMSTEC Centre for Climate (Noida)
    • BIMSTEC Centre for Energy (Bengaluru)
    • Proposed Centres for Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Maritime Transport
• Key agendas of the Summit:
• Adoption of the Vision 2030 document: Prepared by Thailand to build a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by 2030.
• Approval of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report: Reforms to revitalize and repurpose BIMSTEC.
• Signing of maritime transport cooperation agreement: Expected to strengthen regional connectivity and trade.
• Progress on BIMSTEC free trade agreement (FTA): Framework already signed, but negotiations need acceleration. India is likely to take a leadership role in pushing forward trade discussions.
• Bilateral engagements on the sidelines:
  • For example, PM Modi held talks with PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with both endeavouring to bring together India’s “Act East” and Thailand’s “Look West” policies.
  • PM Modi’s possible interaction with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is of particular interest.

PM Modi’s Visit to Sri Lanka:

• Political and strategic importance:
  • First visit after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) took office.
  • Follows up on AKD’s state visit to India in December 2024.
  • Sri Lanka is central to India’s maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean.
• Key agendas of the visit:
  • Energy cooperation:
    • Signing of Sampur Solar Power Project agreement in Trincomalee.
    • 120 MW joint venture between India’s NTPC and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board.
    • Focus on electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline.
  • Tamil Nadu fishermen issue:
    • Long-standing concern over Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan waters.
    • India to seek assurances for humane treatment and explore deep-sea fishing alternatives.
  • Trincomalee oil tank farm talks: Plans for a joint venture to refine crude oil and store it for global trade.
  • Security cooperation:
    • India and Sri Lanka aim for regional security alignment.
    • AKD’s commitment that Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used against India’s security interests.

Conclusion:

• PM Modi’s visits to BIMSTEC and Sri Lanka underscore India’s commitment to regional cooperation, economic connectivity, and security engagement.
• Strengthening BIMSTEC frameworks, deepening economic ties, and addressing strategic concerns with Sri Lanka will be pivotal outcomes of these diplomatic engagements.