BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey Spoke at the 3rd Indo-Pacific Economic Conclave, held in Kolkata. Photo: BIMSTEC

DHAKA, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS) – BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has emphasized that regional cooperation holds the key to advancing trade, connectivity and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. 

He noted that these collective efforts are vital for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity across the broader Indo-Pacific, said a press release here today. 

The Secretary General underlined that BIMSTEC is steadily gaining importance as a bridge linking South and Southeast Asia. 

He said the grouping’s initiatives are aimed at strengthening integration among member states while also contributing to the security and development of the wider Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at the 3rd Indo-Pacific Economic Conclave, held in Kolkata on September 18–19, Pandey pointed out that BIMSTEC has prioritized expanding intra-regional trade and investment as part of its agenda. 

He stressed that building stronger networks of surface, maritime and digital connectivity remains central to the organisation’s vision.

The BIMSTEC chief also highlighted the importance of forging collaboration on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

He said these efforts have positioned BIMSTEC as an emerging and reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific’s development journey, offering a platform to drive growth and cooperation among its member states.

“BIMSTEC’s role is becoming increasingly salient for linking South and Southeast Asia through enhanced maritime, surface and digital connectivity,” he said during a Fireside Chat with eminent scholar Prabir De. 

He also highlighted progress achieved in maritime cooperation and underlined the platform’s contribution to strengthening people-to-people and business-to-business linkages across the region.

Pandey observed that BIMSTEC’s initiatives in multiple sectors, including trade, environment, security, food security, innovation, and people’s welfare, reflect the grouping’s relevance for Asia and the Pacific.

The Conclave, organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together policymakers, business leaders and experts to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.

Speakers noted that the region generates more than 60 percent of global GDP, with its trade and maritime partnerships critical to shaping future economic growth.

They also deliberated on sustainability, clean energy transitions and trade barriers, with the aim of developing actionable policy recommendations.

BIMSTEC, established in 1997, brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to promote cooperation in seven priority sectors, including connectivity, security, trade and development, and eight sub-sectors ranging from the blue economy and disaster management to health and human resource development.