BIMSTEC’s Bangkok Vision is Beyond the Bay: Why Mountain Economies Matter

BIMSTEC was realised in the Bangkok Declaration of 1997, primarily to develop regional cooperation amongst a group of littoral and adjacent Bay of Bengal countries (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand at first, followed by Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan). After nearly three decades, BIMSTEC’s Bangkok Vision 2030 (adopted on 4 April 2025) set a roadmap for a prosperous, resilient, and open region. Notably, the vision aims to accelerate regional growth opportunities by including the mountain economy as a key sub-sector of cooperation, identifying its significance. It also proposes the Himalayan Science Council for promoting scientific and research collaboration. The vision marks a paradigm shift from the maritime foundations of the Bay of Bengal to recognizing the mountain ecosystems that feed it.

Looking beyond the Bay: Why mountains matter

Five out of seven BIMSTEC members – Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, and Thailand – encompass parts of the Himalayas. As it rises as a significant institution for regional cooperation in South Asia, BIMSTEC is beginning to recognise the crucial link between the mountains and lowlands, where mountains provide ecosystem services for the downstream population.

The BIMSTEC region consists of 23 per cent of the mountains of the Himalayas, Pamirs, and the Hindu-Kush (known as the Hindu-Kush Himalayas). In terms of ecosystem services, the mountain ecosystems of the BIMSTEC are the water tower for the region, with three major water systems: the Brahmaputra, the Indus, and the Ganges. According to the World Bank, 12 per cent of annual fresh water originates in the mountain economies of the BIMSTEC, which is used for agriculture, energy production, and industrial plus domestic usage. In terms of energy, according to the World Bank, the mountain economies of BIMSTEC have an energy potential of 272 GW that is underutilized. The hydropower potential of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges tributaries is huge for economic development and renewable energy production, especially in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. The mountains are rich in biodiversity, which is vital to sustainable development and a green economy. Moreover, mountain economies present a massive potential for ecotourism and the economy.

Opportunities and challenges

In line with BIMSTEC’s regional connectivity goal, the mountain economies hold immense potential for regional integration and shared prosperity. As the agenda calls for “strengthening regional supply chains for a steady post-pandemic economic recovery by enhancing transport and energy connectivity.” One of the most critical issue is cross-border connectivity especially for remote and land-locked areas of north-eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Myanmar. These areas often have infrastructural deficits and limited connectivity due to their mountain terrains. Enhancing inland water transport through the river systems of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra to access the Bay of Bengal could amplify trade. Notably, India and Bangladesh have already declared 111 inland waterways that could open vital trade corridors for Bhutan and Nepal reinforcing regional connectivity. However, with the establishment of interim government in Bangladesh, India and Bangladesh ties remain uncertain and this could affect prospects for such connectivity.

Energy is another key area where mountain economies offer value. The vast hydropower potential of Nepal, Bhutan, and India have the potential to power renewable energy transition.  Small and medium-scale hydropower projects, if built efficiently, could boost renewable energy production powering the regional energy grid. Lessons can be drawn from cross-border grid systems that are increasingly becoming prevalent in parts of Europe, Africa, and the United States highlighting the significance of energy interdependence. In line with this, efforts are underway to complete BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Master Plan and set up BIMSTEC Grid-Interconnection Coordination Committee along with the BIMSTEC Centre. These efforts are part of the broader Vision 2030, that emphasizes regional electric trade and green investments in renewable energy.

Climate change and disaster risk reduction are equally central to BIMSTEC’s objectives. The Himalayan region is vulnerable to disasters and climate change. With projections of an increase in climate-induced disasters including the, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, and erratic rainfall there is need for a cooperative approach to implement early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation. The forests and rich biodiversity of the Himalayas act as a carbon sink for the region.

Tourism, particularly ecotourism offers another growth opportunity. The mountains of India, Nepal, and Bhutan are known for their religious, adventure, and scenic tourism. However, due to inadequate development and infrastructure has resulted in overcrowding of certain tourist destinations, while there is underdevelopment in others. With eco-tourism in the mountain hills gaining momentum and offering recreation with sustainability simultaneously, a coherent regional tourism policy would help unlock the economic potential of mountain tourism.

Despite these opportunities, structural challenges exist. Connectivity remains a major barrier, with inadequate infrastructure and high transportation costs limiting trade flows. Climate change poses an escalating challenge as mountain regions are warming more than the global average due to elevation-dependent warming. Environmental risks have socioeconomic repercussions, especially in regions that are already burdened with poverty, unemployment, and weak state capacity. Unless addressed through regional efforts, these challenges could undermine BIMSTEC’s broader developmental goals.

The way forward

 As BIMSTEC’s Bangkok vision has mountain economies as a distinct sub-sector of cooperation, the focus must shift from vision to implementation. The agenda explicitly calls for

“promoting environmental protection, climate change adaptation/mitigation measures, and the use of clean/renewable energy to build resilient economies and communities including through creation of the BIMSTEC Himalayan Science Council for scientific research.”

Operationalization of the Himalayan Science Council will be critical. It can serve as a platform to strengthen regional scientific collaborations in areas including early warnings, weather forecasts, disaster reduction, and sharing knowledge on river flows, forest cover, and biodiversity. This is crucial for regions with increasing environmental vulnerabilities.

Taken together, the BIMSTEC’s latest initiatives provide mountain economies with an opportunity to contribute to the larger regional objective. Given the persistent challenges of poor connectivity and weak infrastructure, a dedicated mountain development plan could help unlock the economic opportunities and ecological resilience of the mountain economies. Ultimately, BIMSTEC’s strength lies not just in the maritime sector but also in harnessing mountain ecosystems that feed into it.

---

About the author: Akriti Sharma is a PhD Scholar at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Her research interests include climate change in the Himalayas and climate governance. She was previously a visiting researcher at the Institute for Regional Development, Eurac Research, Italy and a visiting fellow at the Centre for South Asian Studies, Nepal.