India hosts the fourth BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise virtually

(Forelines) – The 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise was held virtually in India from July 14–15, 2025, according to India’s MEA said in a statement.

The National Disaster Management Authority of India conducted the Tabletop Exercise to assess and enhance regional preparedness for floods and cyclones, and disaster management specialists from BIMSTEC Member States took part.

In order to improve coordination for disaster response throughout the region, the participants exchanged best practices, assessed response frameworks, simulated scenarios, and provided specifics of national disaster management structures.

India has consistently been the first response in times of crises, supporting its regional allies. The exercise greatly strengthened the Bay of Bengal region’s cooperation in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience.

On June 6, 1997, the Bangkok Declaration was signed, creating the regional organization known as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The group, which was once called BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), is now known as BIMSTEC and has seven member states. Myanmar joined on December 22, 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal joined in February 2004. On June 6, 1997, officials of the governments of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand signed the “Declaration on the Establishment of the Bangladesh–India–Sri Lanka–Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIST-EC)” in Bangkok.