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BIMSTEC and its shortcomings


BIMSTEC and its slight ineffectiveness



Fourth BIMESTEC summit has come to end and its press release focus was more on connectivity unlike the media reports which reiterates on terrorism. Out of 16 sector specific commitments made, only terrorism has been highlighted in the news. Without being driven to wards single perspective instinct as opined by late Hans Rosling, analysis should be on over all commitments made by the member states and we shall do it. Realizing those commitments would take an active-executive department established on multi-lateral level. It should comprise academicians, bureaucrats, technical assistance and other specialists from all the member states. This will bring diversity and overall requirements of member states into the policies which will be drafted. It is vivid in the press release that without any exception, there is need for creation of separate department level interaction and creation of sector specific working secretariat to achieve the goals of 1997 Bangkok declaration. Even though there are some secretariats and working groups constituted such as BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks, they are not enough. In recognition of this, Member states have agreed to enhance the capacities of existing BIMSTEC secretariat including financial and human resources. But, will the on paper commitments become reality? Indian bureaucratic efficiency is well known and its past shows that it would take more than required time to establish the latter. From its inception, only four agreements/instruments have been signed viz. establishment of permanent secretariat, MOU on BIMSTEC cultural industries commission, and BIMSTEC cultural industries observatory, MOU on establishment of BIMSTEC  center for whether and climate, and MOU on Grid interconnection. BIMSTEC needs fast track establishment of individual working groups/departments.
Apart from the latter issue, the language used in all the four summit declarations appears to be same with one interesting deviation right from the second summit. Rural community development and education which finds a place in 1st summit declaration does not have any mention in other consecutive declarations. Does this mean that the regional cooperation is based on urban necessities and business enhancement? Side lining of Education and rural would cost the regional cooperation a great damage at base level.  BIMSTEC is an economic cooperation and no economic development is brought without taking the basic requirements into consideration. We have seen many countries who neglect the development of their basic skills going into politico-economic crisis. For, example Egypt which has an old-socialistic-traditional way of education-employment relationship, it cannot rejuvenate its economy. It depends heavily on investments on its Sinai region and ports with a foreign expertise. It will definitely kick start its economy but its short term and will perpetually be under the strings of major powers of the world. Such is the importance of education. Coming to rural community development, every country has their own socio-cultural roots which are linked to economy. Bringing everyone to level playing field and allowing them to have their market expanded and would serve the purpose of poverty alleviation.  
Without a doubt the intention of the summit is unquestionable but the direction of their movement is questionable. One can argue that MSME sector development would automatically help rural communities. But, are we sure that the assistance provided is reaching out rural areas? There should have been a clear explanation or a great rationale to steer away from the education and rural community development.

References:
1.      BIMES-TEC Summit Declaration. 2004. Retrieved from https://www.deccanobserver.com/
2.      BIMESTEC Summit Declaration. 2008. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8Fv9wDGJqx2NXJUUklXckt6MTA/view
3.      BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. 2014. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8Fv9wDGJqx2OTFab3NtWTB3RFk/view
4.      BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. 2018. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw5iVdDDVNCRTko2ek02Y1F0T3hQemM1NTdjUy1icGZUOGMw/view

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