Search: For - regional cooperation

51 results found

Power play: India’s energy diplomacy in the neighbourhood
Sep 12, 2024

Power play: India’s energy diplomacy in the neighbourhood

By investing in regional energy infrastructure and fostering interdependence, India aims to underpin economic growth, counterbalance China's influence

IORA हिंद महासागरातील सागरी सुरक्षा प्रयत्नांना मदत करू शकेल का?
Jun 03, 2024

IORA हिंद महासागरातील सागरी सुरक्षा प्रयत्नांना मदत करू शकेल का?

हिंदी महासागरात सागरी सुरक्षेच्या संदर्भातील संकल्पना

Assessing the ‘sustainability’ of development diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific
May 16, 2024

Assessing the ‘sustainability’ of development diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific

Development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is vital for sustainable growth and addressing common vulnerabilities; however, it is becoming overly comp

Can IORA aid maritime security efforts in the Indian Ocean?
May 14, 2024

Can IORA aid maritime security efforts in the Indian Ocean?

Maritime security in the Indian Ocean needs to be conceptualised. Thus, a rethink about injecting momentum into collective regional cooperation via IO

भारताने युगांडाशी राजनैतिक संबंधांमध्ये संतुलन राखण्यासाठी काय करायला हवं?
Mar 20, 2024

भारताने युगांडाशी राजनैतिक संबंधांमध्ये संतुलन राखण्यासाठी काय करायला हवं?

भारत आणि युगांडा यांच्यातील संबंध संतुलित करणे ही भारती�

India’s Uganda outreach requires a careful balancing act
Mar 12, 2024

India’s Uganda outreach requires a careful balancing act

India’s renewed relationship with Uganda presents a test cast for Indian diplomacy

India and Australia: Building media resilience in the Pacific and Indian island states
Sep 19, 2023

India and Australia: Building media resilience in the Pacific and Indian island states

The Pacific and Indian Ocean islands states require support from external partners to protect the integrity of independent thought and defend themselv

Raising the regional cooperation dimension in Africa
Jul 27, 2023

Raising the regional cooperation dimension in Africa

India can work with regional financial institutions to expand successful Africa Summits, economic outreach, and improve LOC delivery through collabora

Who blinks first: Can a framework for countering maritime grey-zone operations be devised?
Mar 29, 2023

Who blinks first: Can a framework for countering maritime grey-zone operations be devised?

Regional cooperation mechanisms should join hands and devise a framework to counter China’s grey-zone tactics in the Indo-Pacific region

Sheikh Hasina-Modi Summit 2022: Exploring energy cooperation
Sep 21, 2022

Sheikh Hasina-Modi Summit 2022: Exploring energy cooperation

The enhanced energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh could help open new horizons in regional cooperation.

Central Asia is back in the “game”
Sep 14, 2022

Central Asia is back in the “game”

With the threat of instability looming over Central Asia, the need for regional cooperation has increased significantly.

Suspending Afghanistan from SAARC and international law
Sep 26, 2021

Suspending Afghanistan from SAARC and international law

Making a case for suspending Afghanistan from SAARC to prevent the crippling of the organisation

The BIMSTEC moment
Jan 15, 2021

The BIMSTEC moment

The responses to the pandemic suggest a greater scope of regional cooperation among the countries in the Bay of Bengal region.

Can the pandemic foster regional cooperation?
Dec 23, 2020

Can the pandemic foster regional cooperation?

While India has stated that it hopes to insulate itself from future shocks, most of the members of the BIMSTEC have become aware of an over-reliance o

Urgent need for new architecture for India’s neighbourhood policy
Oct 10, 2016

Urgent need for new architecture for India’s neighbourhood policy

With the crippling of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), India’s quest for a new architecture for its neighbourhood policy

Bhutan: The new hub for regional cooperation
May 24, 2013

Bhutan: The new hub for regional cooperation

The little Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, owing to its strategic geographic location, is turning out to be the new hub for regional cooperation in South Asia. Bhutan's hydro-power prospects are no secret.

BIMSTEC and Disaster Management: Future Prospects for Regional Cooperation
May 24, 2023

BIMSTEC and Disaster Management: Future Prospects for Regional Cooperation

The Bay of Bengal is highly prone to extreme weather events, many of which result in massive disaster. The sub-regional grouping, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation), took a long time to begin nurturing their collective capabilities in disaster mitigation. It was only after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, which caused overwhelming devastation in the region, that BIMSTEC identified the area of ‘Envir

India and its Eastern Neighbours: Prospects for Sub-Regional Cooperation
Sep 13, 2023

India and its Eastern Neighbours: Prospects for Sub-Regional Cooperation

This Issue Brief focuses on the reasons for the need to have sub-regional integration and cooperation between the four South Asian countries of BBIN--Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. It also looks at previous attempts made at sub-regional cooperation by countries in the region and the areas of potential cooperation.

Rethinking Regionalism: The idea of China-South Asia Trans-Himalayan regional cooperation
Dec 12, 2019

Rethinking Regionalism: The idea of China-South Asia Trans-Himalayan regional cooperation

Even as globalisation has succeeded in creating a closely connected world, its biggest failure may yet be that it could not produce a stable world. Today there is a widely held view that organising the world regionally may be complementary to globalisation, if not serve as a replacement altogether. Other analysts consider the relationship as more tangled, debating whether to view regionalism as a stepping stone to globalisation or as a stumbling

SAARC vs BIMSTEC: The search for the ideal platform for regional cooperation
Aug 17, 2023

SAARC vs BIMSTEC: The search for the ideal platform for regional cooperation

The failure of SAARC to nurture cooperation in South Asia has pushed regional players to search for an alternative.  BIMSTEC, grouping the nations in the Bay of Bengal region, is popularly favoured as the viable option. Two decades since its inception, however, BIMSTEC’s successes have been minimal. How workable is BIMSTEC as an option for pursuing regional cooperation in South Asia? Are SAARC and BIMSTEC competitors or do they complement each

The Role of India’s Northeast in the Regional Cooperation Architecture
Jun 30, 2021

The Role of India’s Northeast in the Regional Cooperation Architecture

There is no dearth of evidence that shows how cross-border connectivity brings manifold benefits to the countries involved. In the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific, greater engagement amongst the countries in these geostrategically and economically significant regions has become more crucial in the recent years. This report analyses the potential for greater connectivity in the Bay region within a collaborative framework involving India, its easter

Australia, India, Indonesia: A Trilateral Dialogue on Indian Ocean
Sep 17, 2013

Australia, India, Indonesia: A Trilateral Dialogue on Indian Ocean

Ashok Malik sets the agenda for the upcoming Indian Ocean Region - Association for Regional Cooperation Dialogue, steered by the three nations.

BIMSTEC into the mainstream: The role of the media
May 12, 2023

BIMSTEC into the mainstream: The role of the media

This brief is an experienced journalist’s view of how the media should regard the relevance of BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation; and, in turn, how BIMSTEC can utilise the media in making its issues known to the public and the policymakers, in its immediate region and beyond. The brief argues that if BIMSTEC is to become an effective forum for regional cooperation, it should be more o

BIMSTEC: Overcoming inertia to serve as a truly strategic platform
Sep 08, 2017

BIMSTEC: Overcoming inertia to serve as a truly strategic platform

Two decades since its inception, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has yet to truly succeed as an instrument of regional integration. The primary reason for the group’s slow progress is general inertia, or lack of interest amongst its members. There have also been more pressing national and regional issues that have overtaken the group’s development. This is set to change under the im

Breathing new life into BIMSTEC: Challenges and imperatives
Apr 27, 2020

Breathing new life into BIMSTEC: Challenges and imperatives

This paper explores the various opportunities and challenges of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC, a unique inter-regional grouping composed of aspiring member countries from South Asia and Southeast Asia. While the grouping has massive potential to contribute to regional cooperation, this paper explores the capabilities of the organisation in terms of meeting the expectations of renewed

Building a BIMSTEC agenda for counterterrorism
Nov 28, 2017

Building a BIMSTEC agenda for counterterrorism

Member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) continue to grapple with a host of security issues, including the burgeoning ISIS threat and the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. In the recent months, the region has witnessed the immense social, political, economic and geo-strategic implications of terrorism and displacement. BIMSTEC’s counterterrorism initiatives must therefore be scr

Chinese Takeaway
Jul 25, 2012

Chinese Takeaway

With the World Bank punishing Bangladesh by withdrawing support to $3 billion multipurpose bridge over River Padma, Dhaka is hoping that China will step into the breach. Could India pit ch in too? Or Delhi and Beijing collaborate on a transformative economic venture in Banglade sh, setting a new basis for regional cooperation?

Climate change and healthcare in the BIMSTEC countries: Potential for cooperation
Jul 02, 2019

Climate change and healthcare in the BIMSTEC countries: Potential for cooperation

The relative prosperity being recorded by the countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)[1] is being confronted by multidimensional challenges brought about by climate change, including in public health. This brief examines the role of regional cooperation in mitigating these negative consequences of global warming. Analysing the national health policies of BIMSTEC countries, this bri

Collective action on South Asia’s ‘wicked problems’
Apr 14, 2023

Collective action on South Asia’s ‘wicked problems’

The problems of water, energy, climate change, and urbanisation, are all intertwined; they are, also, all 'wicked'. There is little consensus on how to effectively navigate these problems, let alone, how to solve them. Of these, water is key: the threat of climatic changes is primarily manifested in water, its dwindling supply, and the conflicts that may potentially arise. It also encompasses so-called 'toad's eye' concerns of the grassroots, oft

Energy cooperation under BIMSTEC: Are techno-economic rationales sufficient?
Nov 02, 2017

Energy cooperation under BIMSTEC: Are techno-economic rationales sufficient?

Despite a compelling techno-economic rationale for BIMSTEC nations, regional cooperation in the field of energy has not moved beyond the drawing board. This brief argues that inadequate investment in regional infrastructure, and the lack of political will to invest in shared infrastructure, are the consequence of inadequate cooperation between countries in the region, and not its cause. The electricity industries of BIMSTEC countries are being gr

India should act as an elder brother to Bangladesh
Aug 23, 2014

India should act as an elder brother to Bangladesh

The new political leadership in Delhi has given a ray of hope for the prospect of regional cooperation. In this regard, it is very important for India to understand how it is perceived by neighbouring countries in the South Asian region, says Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner Mahbub Hasan Saleh.

India-Bangladesh Energy Non-Cooperation
Sep 29, 2003

India-Bangladesh Energy Non-Cooperation

Indian diplomacy seems to be drawing a blank when it comes to regional cooperation involving fine diplomacy and seasoned statecraft. The recent events relating to India's attempts towards getting natural gas from Bangladesh and Myanmar and the negative response from Bangladesh suggest that it is unlikely to obtain any gesture of

India-Japan-Myanmar: Prospects for strategic connectivity
Jan 10, 2014

India-Japan-Myanmar: Prospects for strategic connectivity

As leading Asian democracies, India and Japan are perfectly poised to stake their claim in the sphere of geopolitical influence by increasing regional cooperation with countries like Myanmar

India’s ‘Look Far East’: The Vladivostok moment in Indo-Russian relations
May 26, 2020

India’s ‘Look Far East’: The Vladivostok moment in Indo-Russian relations

This paper explains Russian co-option of India into the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at a high level of participation in September 2019 and the range of agreements involved. It argues that the co-option was the result of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dissatisfaction with the economic outcomes so far for the Russian Far East of “northeast Asian regional cooperation.” Moscow related this behaviour to skewed priorities of East Asia’s �

Let’s BIMSTEC Together
Mar 28, 2022

Let’s BIMSTEC Together

After the marginalisation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) since 2016 owing to tensions between India and Pakistan, a search for alternative regional collaborations led India to Bimstec.

Modi's regionalism
Nov 26, 2014

Modi's regionalism

To improve South Asian regional cooperation, Modi has three options. The first is to focus on a two-speed Saarc. The second is to build on transregional institutions like the BIMSTEC. However, it is the third way -- unilateral action -- that offers Modi the greatest opportunity. For example, Modi has already proposed to build a Saarc satellite for use by its neighbours.

Need for public debate on the EU-India FTA
Nov 19, 2011

Need for public debate on the EU-India FTA

With the good news from the 17th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) meeting in the Maldives about the future effective implementation of the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement, trade relations among member-countries will get a big boost.

Quad’s maritime vision short on strategic intent
Oct 07, 2024

Quad’s maritime vision short on strategic intent

Biden hosted the Quad Leaders’ Summit, emphasizing Indo-Pacific security and cooperation, but faced criticism for vague military strategies and unclear outcomes.

Reconciling with the Taliban: The Good, the Bad and the Difficult
May 23, 2023

Reconciling with the Taliban: The Good, the Bad and the Difficult

Efforts toward a peaceful reconciliation with the Taliban have failed and Afghanistan and the United States remain engaged in a bitter war against the insurgent group. The US has shown willingness and capability to go after Taliban leaders on Pakistani soil, upsetting its relations with Islamabad and ending Pakistan's game of plausible deniability. Under its new leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban continue their onslaught against the

SAARC 'A Non Starter
Dec 08, 2004

SAARC 'A Non Starter

SAARC conjures up an image of jamborees and no results. The South Asian Association of Regional cooperation with its seven members ( India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh) remains one of the most dysfunctional trade blocs and there is hardly any freedom of movement of goods, services and people. The next (13th) SAARC summit is going to be held in Dhaka in the beginning of January 2005.

Single out spoilers, hold them accountable: Afghan Ambassador
Oct 09, 2013

Single out spoilers, hold them accountable: Afghan Ambassador

Afghanistan thinks that the Istanbul Process, as a mechanism established in November 2011 for regional cooperation to ensure stability in the country, is still under-utilised, says Afghanistan's Ambassador to India Shaida M Abdali.

The BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity: A Stocktaking
Jun 03, 2024

The BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity: A Stocktaking

Connectivity facilitates economic growth, social development, and people-to-people interactions. Recognising the imperative of connectivity in regional engagement, the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in 1997 declared ‘transport and communication’ as one of its sectors of cooperation. In 2018, BIMSTEC drew up its Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, and subsequently updated the plan at the fifth BIM

The road to China is through Kabul
Mar 04, 2017

The road to China is through Kabul

New possibilities on regional cooperation are emerging, which India should not hesitate to explore

Towards a Deliberative BIMSTEC
Aug 06, 2020

Towards a Deliberative BIMSTEC

The Bay of Bengal region links South Asia and Southeast Asia, with the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) serving as a platform of trans-border cooperation. The BIMSTEC’s prime assets are the historical and cultural links between the nations, and their spirit of community. However, the lack of both a robust decision-making mechanism and a set of common rules have slowed down the growth of th

Two-speed regionalism
Jun 24, 2015

Two-speed regionalism

Instead of agonising over the failures of the Saarc, Delhi has recognised that two-speed regionalism is quite common around the world. Also, India has often looked beyond the Saarc to benefit from trans-regional cooperation, like BIMSTEC