Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his official visit to Thailand, participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4, 2025. The summit, hosted in Bangkok, witnessed the participation of leaders from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member nations. The primary focus of the summit was strengthening regional cooperation across economic, security, technological, and cultural domains.

PM Modi was warmly received by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and he began his summit address by reaffirming India's commitment to deepening BIMSTEC cooperation. In a deeply resonant message, he stated, "May our efforts bring a positive difference in people’s lives", setting a collaborative tone for the summit discussions.

In a key proposal, PM Modi urged the BIMSTEC member countries to integrate their payment systems with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This step, he explained, would not only enhance cross-border trade and tourism but also facilitate a seamless financial ecosystem across South and Southeast Asia. The move aligns with India’s growing digital infrastructure strategy and the government's push to internationalise UPI, making it accessible and compatible with global systems.

The UPI integration proposal was one of the most notable outcomes of the summit. It showcases India's growing leadership in the fintech space and its willingness to share digital public goods with friendly nations. According to PM Modi, digitally connected financial systems would reduce friction in trade, remittances, and tourism-related transactions, thereby catalysing economic growth in the region.

Another significant moment at the summit was a solemn minute of silence observed by all leaders in memory of the victims of the March 28 earthquake that affected Myanmar and Thailand. PM Modi expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and damage to property due to the tragic natural disaster, stating that India stands in solidarity with its neighbours during times of distress.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Both leaders engaged in discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional stability, border security, and humanitarian issues. This dialogue also comes at a time when both countries face shared concerns regarding cross-border challenges and the need for closer cooperation.

Prior to the main summit event, the Prime Minister of Thailand hosted a formal dinner for all BIMSTEC leaders. Notably, during the dinner, PM Modi was seated next to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the Hotel Shangri-La, located on the serene banks of the Chao Phraya River. This gesture highlighted the cordial and close relations among BIMSTEC nations, especially India’s enduring ties with Bangladesh.

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit comes at a time when global geopolitics is witnessing swift changes, and regional groupings like BIMSTEC are becoming more relevant. PM Modi’s participation and proposals are in line with India’s Act East Policy, which focuses on strengthening ties with ASEAN and BIMSTEC nations for greater economic and strategic collaboration.

Following the summit, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka, continuing his diplomatic outreach in the region. The visit underscores India’s intention to foster regional cooperation not only at multilateral platforms like BIMSTEC but also through bilateral engagements.

This summit also reflects India’s proactive stance on digital diplomacy. By proposing UPI integration, India is positioning itself as a technology partner for neighbouring nations, promoting financial inclusion, digital literacy, and economic resilience across borders.

The BIMSTEC grouping, consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, plays a vital role in shaping the strategic and economic landscape of the Bay of Bengal region. PM Modi's call for deeper integration through technology, economic cooperation, and humanitarian solidarity adds a new dimension to the group's future roadmap.

Moreover, India’s focus on innovation and fintech is seen as a cornerstone in building bridges across nations in Asia. The successful implementation of UPI domestically has already set global benchmarks, and its extension to BIMSTEC member states would mark a historic step toward regional digital unification.

The summit also placed emphasis on climate change, disaster resilience, and sustainable development goals, areas where India continues to offer technological and policy support to its neighbours. PM Modi reiterated India’s readiness to share its experience, resources, and platforms, thereby ensuring a collective rise in the region’s development trajectory.

In summary, PM Modi’s participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit served multiple strategic purposes. It reaffirmed India's commitment to the BIMSTEC vision, proposed bold and innovative steps like UPI integration, and reinforced regional ties through bilateral and multilateral engagements. The summit laid the foundation for a more interconnected and cooperative Bay of Bengal region, backed by India’s leadership in digital infrastructure and economic diplomacy.

With strong diplomatic signals and practical proposals, PM Modi’s Thailand visit is poised to leave a lasting impact on the BIMSTEC framework and India’s role in regional geopolitics. The world watches as India extends not just a hand of friendship, but a digitally empowered future to its neighbours.

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