Bangkok [Thailand], Apr 3 :
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised his concerns over terrorism, illicit narcotics trade, and other such activities on Thursday at the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.
One has to deal with BIMSTEC on a more ambitious platform in this volatile world, Jaishankar said.
"There are yet the matters of the real world that we too must contend with. This entails the recognition of the seriousness of cyber security, counter-terrorism, human trafficking, illicit drugs trade and other such activities. We must establish the framework for properly addressing them," he further stated.
Jaishankar further added that at present, the international order makes countries more agenda-driven.
"Friends, we meet today in the 28th year of the BIMSTEC. And we meet at a moment when the world order itself is visible in disarray. This should lead us to consider BIMSTEC with a more aspirational perspective. The new order, whose outlines have only now started to reveal themselves, is inherently more regional and agenda-driven," he said.
Jaishankar also added that the times when some elite countries dominated the world order have passed.
"The times when a handful of powers subsidized the global system are behind us. What we make of our futures is very much in our hands. As rising countries who face a multiplicity of challenges, that is best achieved together, not alone," he said.
He also added that the nations surrounding the Bay of Bengal have shared interests, which are created by the prosperity of the region.
"The nations surrounding and those nearby the Bay of Bengal have common interests as well as shared concerns. Some of it is born out of our history, where other priorities took precedence over the prosperity of this region," he added.
Jaishankar further stated that BIMSTEC countries need increased collaboration amongst themselves so that they can fuel growth.
"The fruits of labour are before all of us to see even today. Whether it is connectivity, trade, investment or services among the BIMSTEC members, we are doing less than our actual potential. Now, if we have to do things differently, both the past and the future are friends of ours. One is the traditions, habits and ethos which can be made contemporary now. The other offers new tools and new opportunities, some even to leapfrog our capacities. Our work before us is to be pragmatic about where we are today, optimistic about the basis of our efforts and hopeful about its future possibilities," he added.
Jaishankar also said that India does consider taking its position in the area and the area in the east is also emerging as a connectivity hub.
"India is aware of its special responsibility towards BIMSTEC. We, for one, have the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, of close to 6,500km. India shares borders with five BIMSTEC members, connecting most of them, and offers much of the interface between the Indian Sub-continent and ASEAN. Our North-Eastern region particularly is turning into a hub of connectivity for the BIMSTEC, with a gigantic network of roads, rails, waterways, grids and pipelines," he added.
Jaishankar said that with the construction of the Trilateral Highway, India's North-East will be linked all the way to the Pacific Ocean and that through mutual cooperation, there will be free flow of trade and people-to-people connectivity.
"Additionally, the Triangular Highway culminating in the Pacific Ocean will connect India's North East directly with the Pacific, a true game-changer. We know that our facilitation and cooperation are an essential pre-condition to the free flow of goods, services and people in the wider geography," he said.
"Holding this geo-strategic factor in view, we have steered increased energies and focus towards the development of BIMSTEC in the last decade. We also feel collaboration is an integrated approach, rather than a cherry-picking one," he added further.
© Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved
Powered by Basharat Hosein
