India hosts the second BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam

(Forelines) – The second BIMSTEC Ports Conclave was place during July 14–15, 2025, at Visakhapatnam, India. The conclave’s theme was “Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation, and Sustainable Partnerships”, according to India’s MEA said in a statement.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, launched the Conclave, which was attended by delegations from the BIMSTEC member states, comprising officials, maritime specialists, port authorities, corporate representatives, and regional development partners.

The Conclave covered a wide range of topics, including upskilling the marine workforce, port-linked industrial zones, cruise tourism, digital integration, industry-academia relations, green shipping, and standardizing customs procedures and improving logistical connectivity to increase intra-regional trade.

“This initiative by India, in line with its Neighbourhood First policy, will further strengthen maritime cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region,” India’s MEA said.

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.