India Hosts BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit in Assam

(Forelines) – India hosted the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit on 09 – 11 September 2025 in Guwahati, Assam, highlighting the critical role of young people of the region for its holistic development, Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 21-point action plan to further enhance BIMSTEC, which included the initiative.

Over 80 young leaders from all BIMSTEC member nations participated in the Summit, which was opened by the Laxman Prasad Acharya, the Governor of Assam, and was organized in collaboration with Bharat Scouts & Guides. These leaders represented a variety of their societies, including political, business, sociocultural, and civil society.

The three-day Summit focused on 21st-century leadership that is inclusive, resilient, and diversity-responsive. Participants were encouraged to investigate sustainable, socially conscious solutions through sessions on entrepreneurship, creative thinking, and cross-cultural cooperation. Mutual understanding and solidarity were reinforced through cultural exchanges and country-sharing sessions.

The results were promising: improved teamwork and communication abilities, creative social business models, and—above all—trust networks that would promote future collaboration.

The significance of North East India as the land bridge of the socio-economic developmental corridor connecting the Bay of Bengal region was also emphasized during the occasion.

In keeping with India’s Neighborhood First, Act East, and MAHASAGAR visions for regional cooperation, the program would equip the region’s youth to spearhead development initiatives and policies while addressing present and future challenges to promote regional growth and prosperity.

The seven South Asian and Southeast Asian countries that make up the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technological and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have a total gross domestic product of US$5.2 trillion (2023) and a population of 1.73 billion. Among the nations that rely on the Bay of Bengal are the BIMSTEC member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

A number of BIMSTEC centers have been established to concentrate on the fourteen priority areas of cooperation that have been recognized. Negotiations are underway for a BIMSTEC free trade agreement. referred to as SAARC-like as of 2018.

The names of the countries are arranged alphabetically for the rotation of leadership. Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the permanent secretariat.