Jump to content

Is BIMSTEC (Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand) the way forward?


Recommended Posts

Posted

Many of these regional groups don't come of much, but time to ditch SAARC and grow this  Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). 

 

More economic integration (free trade, free movement of capital) is definitely possible with all the nations involved, probably exception of Thailand.

 

All are democracies (currently on hold in Thailand), similar level GDP per capita levels (again except Thailand), and none have any ideological hatred towards India. 


 

Quote

 

"Members of BIMSTEC - Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand -- today represent the polar opposite of a terrorism promoting polity. They are focused on improving the quality of life of their people, on skills and employment, on education and health, and on the quality of governance and the deepening of democracy," Sushma Swaraj said at the inauguration of BRICS Media Forum here.

 

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/oct/18/bimstec-represents-polar-opposite-of-terror-promoting-polity-swaraj-1529207.html?pm=home

 

 

Posted

Or the SAARC can politely ask Pak to pack its bags .... SAARC has AFG + Maldives who are not members of BIMSTEC if I m not wrong 

Posted
16 hours ago, Vilander said:

how involved is Thailand. and any scope for Myanmar.

 

Afg has to be included in bilateral primarily.

I think Myanmar is there because I saw Aung San in photo op

 

but from India point of view they need to develop this from purely economic purposes

 

this countries represent relatively young population, with fast growing economies (except Thailand)

Over 200m population 

 

I am not sure if there are any free trade agreements with any of these countries, but should pursue one,

big market for India automakers, construction companies, agricultural technology and vice verse for them to export into large Indian market

 

but as usual diffucult to be done then said, especially with these trade agreements

 

just now read a Canada-EU free trade deal collapsed last moment after negotiations went on for 7 years, when a small region in Belgium

objected to the deal

 

×
×
  • Create New...