India hosted the first biennial conference of the BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) in Kochi from November 4 to 6, marking a major milestone in advancing blue economy cooperation across the Bay of Bengal region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
According to the ministry, the event served as a platform to deepen regional collaboration in marine research, ecosystem management, and sustainable fisheries, while also promoting partnerships among young scientists and policymakers from the BIMSTEC member states, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The BIMReN initiative, launched by the MEA in 2024, facilitates institutional linkages through joint research grants and split-site PhD fellowships, connecting leading Indian research institutions with those in other BIMSTEC countries.
“The BIMReN initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Colombo BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 to strengthen collective marine science research,” the MEA stated. The initiative aligns with India’s strategic frameworks under Neighbourhood First, Act East, Indo-Pacific, and MAHASAGAR policies, underscoring its leadership in promoting regional ocean governance and innovation.
During the Kochi conference, participants reviewed progress made since BIMReN’s inception, with the pilot phase already linking 25 institutions and more than 50 researchers across the BIMSTEC region. The discussions focused on marine challenges, ecosystem health, innovation in ocean technology, and policy coordination to address shared sustainability concerns.
“The launch of BIMReN by India demonstrates its long-term commitment to sustainable fisheries management and regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal, which contributes nearly 6 per cent of global fish catch and hosts one-third of the world’s fishing fleet,” the ministry highlighted.
The conference also reflected India’s growing role in fostering knowledge-based maritime diplomacy, combining science, sustainability, and strategic collaboration to build a resilient blue economy framework in South and Southeast Asia.
Earlier in April, during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, Prime Minister Modi proposed a 21-point action plan outlining cooperation across diverse areas, including connectivity, trade, counterterrorism, disaster management, and blue economy development.
Sharing his vision on X, PM Modi said, “BIMSTEC is an important forum to further global good. It is imperative we strengthen it and deepen our engagement. In this context, I proposed a 21-point action plan covering different aspects of our cooperation.”
The Kochi conference marks a continuation of India’s proactive approach in transforming BIMSTEC into a dynamic regional platform for sustainable marine resource management and scientific collaboration, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to an inclusive and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.
