Critically evaluate the strategic implications of BIMSTEC for India’s ‘Act East’ policy and its role in countering regional hegemony.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation that encompasses seven nations around the Bay of Bengal. Formed on 6 June 1997, it includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. BIMSTEC’s fundamental objectives concentrate on fostering economic and technical cooperation among its members, enhancing ties and cooperation across South Asia and Southeast Asia, and promoting mutual benefits through rapid economic growth.

• Enhanced Regional Integration:BIMSTEC facilitates India’s regional integration with both South and Southeast Asia, aligning with its ‘Act East’ policy, which aims to strengthen economic and strategic relations in the Asia-Pacific region. This integration is critical in leveraging regional dynamics that favour economic and infrastructural development.
• Counterbalance to China:Strategically, BIMSTEC serves as a counter to China’s growing influence in the region. By strengthening relations with nations on China’s periphery, India aims to assert its role and influence in regional matters, potentially diluting China’s hegemonic ambitions.
• Security and Stability:BIMSTEC also contributes to regional security and stability by fostering cooperation in combating terrorism, transnational crime, and sea piracy, issues that are significant to the Bay of Bengal region.
• Economic Opportunities:Through BIMSTEC, India can boost trade and investment opportunities within the region, which is crucial for its economic growth targets. It offers a platform to engage more profoundly with markets that are geographically closer and culturally aligned.

Thus, BIMSTEC not only reinforces India’s ‘Act East’ policy by ensuring economic integration and strategic alignment with Southeast Asia but also acts as a crucial component in India’s broader strategy to mitigate regional hegemony, particularly concerning China’s assertive policies. This regional cooperation enhances India’s geopolitical and economic stature within the broader Asian landscape.