New Futures for BIMSTEC: Connectivity, Commerce and Security

Description

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) represents one of the most diverse regions of the world. Providing a unique link between South Asia and Southeast Asia, it brings together 1.5 billion people and a combined GDP of $2.7 trillion. This volume focuses on issues related to connectivity, commerce, and security challenges facing BIMSTEC. It studies BIMSTEC’s relevance as an inter-governmental organization in the changing international milieu. The volume discusses the necessity of connectivity to enhance Bay solidarity and analyses the political, strategic and security concerns that restrain commercial connectivity. It also looks at the Bay of Bengal region as a zone of competition―and possible collaboration―between the littoral countries and major powers involved in the region.   Comprehensive and topical, this volume will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of international relations, South Asian studies, foreign policy, diplomacy, South East Asian studies, defence and strategic affairs, maritime studies, international trade, regional cooperation, and political studies. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents List of figures List of tables List of contributors Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1 BIMSTEC as a regional organisation: background 1 Perspective on BIMSTEC in transforming South Asia 2 Delimitation of maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal Part 2 Connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region 3 Revitalising BIMSTEC: resurgence of port connectivity across the Bay 4 BIMSTEC in the Indo-Pacific: towards greater maritime synergies with IORA and ASEAN 5 Exploring newer vistas of connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia: a case of the Stilwell Road between India and Myanmar 6 Can BIMSTEC be an alternative to BRI? 7 Outer space for BIMSTEC: an all-inclusive revival Part 3 Economic cooperation in BIMSTEC 8 BIMSTEC and role of Northeast in promoting agriculture, trade and investment 9 Role of sustainable development in BIMSTEC maritime security and blue economy framework 10 Energy cooperation in BIMSTEC: trends, opportunities and challenges Part 4 External powers and BIMSTEC 11 Regional economic dynamics of BIMSTEC during the global recession: China factor in the regional caucus 12 BIMSTEC: exploring the potential and prospects of Japan’s role Part 5 Security threats in the Bay of Bengal region 13 BIMSTEC: a solution to the Rohingya problem? 14 Counter terrorism measures in the Bay of Bengal: assessing opportunities and challenges Index