Invited by Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set off for a two-day visit to Thailand. He will participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4, 2025. This marks his third visit to Thailand. Following this, PM Modi will head to Sri Lanka.
Initially, PM Modi will attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, engaging with heads of state from seven nations. Leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan will also be present. Afterwards, from April 4 to April 6, the Prime Minister will undertake a state visit to Sri Lanka, inaugurating development projects supported by India.
Key features of the summit include the adoption of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit Declaration, highlighting leaders' visions and directives. Additionally, the historic Bangkok Vision 2030 will serve as the first strategic roadmap for enhancing future cooperation. As a significant step towards regional connectivity, leaders will sign a maritime transport cooperation agreement aimed at expanding trade and travel in the Bay of Bengal.
Regarding BIMSTEC, the Ministry of External Affairs released a statement emphasizing discussions on strengthening cooperation within the BIMSTEC framework through various institutions and capacity-building measures. India is initiating several efforts to bolster regional collaboration and partnership within BIMSTEC, including enhancing security, facilitating trade and investment, establishing physical, maritime, and digital connectivity, cooperating on food, energy, climate, and human security, promoting capacity building and skill development, and fostering people-to-people connections.
Experts believe this BIMSTEC Summit will be instrumental in shaping its strategic direction, ensuring it remains a crucial platform for economic growth, security cooperation, and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. India, one of BIMSTEC’s founding members, leads regional cooperation in security, energy, and disaster management.
Following the fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018, this will be the first offline meeting of BIMSTEC leaders. The theme for this sixth summit is “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient, and Open.”
After concluding his visit to Thailand, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka for a state visit from April 4 to April 6, 2025, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the visit, PM Modi will discuss with Dissanayake the progress made in areas of cooperation agreed upon during the Sri Lankan president's visit to India, under the shared vision for
