The in-person meeting is being chaired by the National Cyber Security Coordinator Lt General Rajesh Pant and will witness the participation of delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. All the delegates are experts in Cyber Security from their respective Government organization.

ndia as a lead Country for Security Sector in BIMSTEC forum has taken the initiative to organize this meeting on Cyber Security Cooperation and develop a Plan of Action on cyber security. The BIMSTEC Member States are being represented by the senior officials of their respective Government organisations which deals with cyber security and incident response.

The main objective of this BIMSTEC Expert Group meeting is to formulate the Action Plan which will bolster coordination and collaboration amongst the BIMSTEC Member States for strengthening Cyber Security in the use of ICTs. This Action plan will cover the mechanisms for the exchanges of cyber related information, cybercrime, protection of critical information infrastructures, cyber incident response and international developments related to cyber norms. The Action Plan has been proposed to be implemented within the time frame of 5 years after which the Experts Group on Cyber Security will review the Action Plan.

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The Summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captures the main current priorities of member states, and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member state’s programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The main outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal.

The Summit also saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with the adoption of the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity related activities in the region in the future.

Stressing that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has raised a question mark over stability of international order, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for greater cooperation among BIMSTEC nations and said it has become essential to give more priority to “our regional security”. In his opening remarks at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit being held online, Prime Minister Modi said that with the region facing challenges of health and economic security, the need of the hour is unity and cooperation. “Today is the time to make the Bay of Bengal bridge of connectivity, bridge of prosperity, bridge of security,” he said.

Modi said India will provide USD 1 million (one million is equal to ten lakhs) in financial aid to augment the operational budget of the BIMSTEC secretariat. He said the region has not remained untouched by today’s challenging global scenario. “Our economies, our people, are still suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

In an obvious reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi said the developments in Europe in the last few weeks have “raised a question mark over the stability of international order”. “In this context, it has become important to make BIMSTEC regional cooperation more active,” he said. It has become essential to give more priority to our regional security, Modi added.

Noting that the BIMSTEC charter is being adopted at the Summit, he said this is an important step in the direction of establishing an institutional architecture. Modi said the results of this landmark summit will write a golden chapter in BIMSTEC’s history. It is also important to enhance the capacity of the BIMSTEC Secretariat to meet our expectations, Modi said and suggested to the BIMSTEC Secretary General to make a roadmap to achieve this goal.

The prime minister asserted that it is necessary to make early progress on the proposal of BIMSTEC FTA to enhance mutual trade among member states. “We should also increase exchanges between entrepreneurs and startups of our countries. Along with this, we should also try to adopt international norms in the field of trade facilitation,” he told the BIMSTEC leaders.

Underlining that BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate is an important organisation for cooperation in disaster management, especially disaster risk reduction, Modi sought the collaboration of BIMSTEC nations to make this more active. India is ready to contribute USD 3 million to restart the work of this Centre, he said.

Besides India, the BIMSTEC comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. The Summit will adopt the ‘BIMSTEC Charter’ which will give the grouping an international identity and lay out the basic institutional architecture through which it will carry out its work. With 21.7 per cent of the world’s population and combined GDP of USD 3.8 trillion, the BIMSTEC has emerged as an influential engine of economic growth.

In his intervention, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation and security, and made several suggestions in this regard. The Prime Minister called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform Bay of Bengal into a Bridge of Connectivity, Prosperity, and Security among the BIMSTEC-member countries.

Prime Minister Modi along with other leaders also witnessed the signing of three BIMSTEC agreements which represent progress being achieved in ongoing cooperation activities: (i) BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; (ii) BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training and (iii) Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.

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“Good to meet FM Narayan Khadka of Nepal on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Ministerial. Discussed our cooperation in connectivity, energy, fertilizers, health and power. Agreed to focus on taking forward the Ramayan circuit,” he tweeted. Jaishankar on Tuesday participated in the 18th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Colombo and said the BIMSTEC member states must collectively combat terrorism and violent extremism as he emphasised India’s commitment to intensify, expand areas of cooperation, especially connectivity, energy and maritime.

The Nepalese Foreign Ministry said that the two ministers discussed “matters including the ongoing preparations for Hon. PM’s visit to India” in their  meeting. Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba would travel to India on Friday on a maiden visit during which he would hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and other leaders to further strengthen the multifaceted, age-old, and cordial ties between the two countries.

Jaishankar also met Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji here and reviewed various projects and initiatives. “Pleasure as always to see @FMBhutan. Discussed our long-standing cooperation in the hydropower sector. Reviewed various other projects and initiatives. Spoke about the Bhutanese talent I saw recently in our training institutions. Look forward to continuing our engagement,” he tweeted.

He also held talks with his Bangladesh counterpart A K Abdul Momen on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and invited him to visit India at an early date. Besides India and Sri Lanka, the BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. “Concluded a productive and congenial BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting. Thank you FM Prof G. L. Peiris for the excellent arrangements,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.

He also visited the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance service in Colombo. “Heart-warming to visit the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance service in Colombo. Impressed by your record and achievements: Responded to 5 million calls to date. India is proud to be your partner in saving lives,” he tweeted.

Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday night and held bilateral talks with Sri Lanka’s top leadership. This is his first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis.

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Sri Lanka is facing an acute economic and energy crisis triggered due to the shortage of foreign exchange. Jaishankar is here to hold bilateral talks with the country’s top leadership and attend the seven-nation BIMSTEC summit. “Began the visit by meeting Finance Minister @RealBRajapaksa. Discussed the economic situation and India’s supportive response. We will continue to be guided by Neighbourhood First,” he said on Twitter.

Jaishankar’s visit is taking place at a time when the public outrage over the Lankan government’s inefficiency in handling the crisis has come out in the open. This is his first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis. Although Jaishankar’s Colombo visit is primarily for the BIMSTEC engagements, officials here said he would be taking part in all important bilateral talks with the Sri Lankan leaders.

Besides India and Sri Lanka, the BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. The summit is being hosted by Sri Lanka in its capacity as the chair of the grouping BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the virtual summit of the BIMSTEC grouping on March 30, which is expected to focus on expanding economic engagement among its member countries.

Amidst the current foreign exchange crisis, people are holding protests and vigils urging immediate solutions to rid them of fuel and gas queues and enduring long hours of power cuts A sudden rise in prices of key commodities and fuel shortage forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours outside petrol filling stations. People are also facing long hours of power cuts daily.

All essentials are in short supply due to import restrictions forced by the forex crisis. India recently announced to extend a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial assistance to the country to deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi had extended a USD 500 million line of credit to Colombo in February to help it purchase petroleum products.

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This is his first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis. “Arrived in Colombo for bilateral visit and BIMSTEC meeting. Look forward to my discussions over the next two days,” he tweeted. Jaishankar arrived here after concluding his visit to the Maldives during which he held discussions with the country’s top leadership on wide ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation.

The minister’s visit to Sri Lanka and the Maldives are part of his five-day two-nation tour to the two key maritime neighbours of India to explore the possibilities of further expansion of bilateral engagements. Although Jaishankar’s Colombo visit is primarily for the BIMSTEC engagements, officials here said he would be taking part in all important bilateral talks with the Sri Lankan leaders.

Besides India and Sri Lanka, the BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. The summit is being hosted by Sri Lanka in its capacity as the chair of the grouping BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the virtual summit of the BIMSTEC grouping on March 30, which is expected to focus on expanding economic engagement among its member countries.

The summit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is facing its all-time worst foreign exchange crisis after the pandemic hit the island nation’s earnings from tourism and remittances. India, since mid-January, has provided economic relief in the form of currency swaps, deferred repayments and dedicated credit lines for the purchase of fuel and essential imports.

Jaishankar’s visit is taking place at a time when the public outrage over the Lankan government’s inefficiency in handling the crisis has come out in the open. People are holding protests and vigils urging immediate solutions to rid them of fuel and gas queues and enduring long hours of power cuts. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa saw Jaishankar as a helpful ally in his bid to tackle the issue at a time serious public anger has turned against the government – these come in the form of peaceful demonstrations urging not only President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to stand down but the whole Rajapaksa ruling family to resign for incompetency.

Although both the government and the Opposition leaders as well as economic analysts have by and large appreciated India’s assistance, some concerns on India’s pre conditions if any for such aid have been raised. In recent days, the Opposition as well as a section of the government allies have raised concerns over some of the newly-approved Indian projects in the island nation. Also, there are growing concerns on some of the post economic relief package engagements proposed with India.

The agreement to provide a grant of USD 6 million for the establishment of a Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre in Sri Lanka and agreement for the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unified Digital Identity Framework are two prime examples of allegations of packs with India shrouded in secrecy. The main Opposition raised these projects in Parliament, questioning their alleged lack of transparency and pressed the government for answers.

The Indian assistance or its economic bailout package included USD 400 million currency swaps, USD 500 million for fuel purchase, USD 1 billion for food and essentials and deferment of Asian Currency Unit payments of over USD 500 million. The best explanation for India’s assistance came from former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“Indian assistance was because they feared there would be instability in Sri Lanka with civil unrest. India had never helped a country to this extent before,” he said during a discussion with an independent think tank, adding that Sri Lanka ought to be thankful to India for the assistance, although this assistance would only be sufficient for two more months.

There is a school of thought that India has got involved with its neighbour not just to provide economic relief. “What we have is an economic crisis and a political crisis,” Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the head of an independent think tank, said. Interestingly, a politically-influential senior Buddhist monk, Rev Elle Gunawansha, has urged in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to come out with full details of the “deal with India”.

Sri Lanka is facing an acute economic and energy crisis triggered due to shortage of foreign exchange. A sudden rise in prices of key commodities and fuel shortage forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours outside petrol filling stations. People are also facing long hours of power cuts daily. All essentials are in short supply due to import restrictions forced by the forex crisis.

India recently announced to extend a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial assistance to the country to deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi had extended a USD 500 million line of credit to Colombo in February to help it purchase petroleum products.

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Jaishankar’s first destination will be the Maldives, where he will inaugurate a number of India-supported projects and firm up several agreements to further bolster bilateral cooperation. His visit to Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30 comes over a week after India announced a USD 1 billion line of credit to the island nation to help it deal with the ongoing economic crisis.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said during his visit to the Maldivian city of Addu from March 26 to March 27, Jaishankar will call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and hold discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid. “The external affairs minister’s visit will see the signing of several agreements related to the bilateral development cooperation, inauguration/handing-over and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Maldives and enhance its security,” the MEA said in a statement.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region and the bilateral defence and security ties have been on an upward trajectory in the last few years. Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30. The trip follows the visits to India by Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa in December 2021 and earlier this month and that of Foreign Minister GL Peiris in February. “The bilateral meetings and interactions which the external affairs minister will have in Sri Lanka highlight the priority that Sri Lanka occupies for India,” the MEA said.

Jaishankar will also participate in the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) ministerial meeting on March 29 in Colombo. “Both Maldives and Sri Lanka are India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy special place in the prime minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ and Neighbourhood First,” the MEA said.

“The external affairs minister’s visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka,” it said. SAGAR or “Security and Growth for all in the Region” is aimed at cooperative measures for sustainable use of the oceans in the region.

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The summit is being hosted by Sri Lanka in its capacity as the chair of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Besides India and Sri Lanka, the BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the 5th BIMSTEC Summit on March 30. The summit meeting, which is being held in virtual mode, will be hosted by Sri Lanka, the current BIMSTEC chair,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) are not moving forward for a variety of reasons. The MEA said meetings of BIMSTEC senior officials will take place on March 28, followed by meetings of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers (BMM) on March 29.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is visiting Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30 and he will attend the meeting of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers. “The Covid pandemic related challenges, and the uncertainties within the international system that all BIMSTEC members are facing, impart greater urgency to the goal of taking BIMSTEC technical and economic cooperation to the next level,” the MEA said in a statement.

“This is expected to be the main subject of deliberations by leaders at the summit,” it added. The MEA said the leaders are also expected to discuss the establishment of basic institutional structures and mechanisms of the group.

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EAM met the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka for delegation level talks 07 February 2022. Both Ministers discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka.

EAM underscored the priority accorded to Sri Lanka by India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. He called for expeditiously taking forward mutually beneficial projects, including proposals to enhance air and sea connectivity between India and Sri Lanka to reinforce people to people linkages, economic and investment initiatives, additional steps to enhance Sri Lanka’s energy security, keeping our shared maritime domain safe from various contemporary threats and cooperation in combating COVID-19 pandemic. EAM conveyed that India would always stand with Sri Lanka during its times of need. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for India’s recent assistance and updated EAM on the steps taken by Government of Sri Lanka on human rights and reconciliation.

Recalling the positive impact of India’s developmental and rehabilitation support, EAM emphasized that Sri Lanka’s interests are best served by ensuring equality, justice, peace and respect for the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka. Devolution of power is an important aspect of this process.

Both sides reiterated the longstanding consensus to handle fishermen issue through humanitarian approach and refrain from the use of violence in dealing with incidents along the IMBL. They agreed that bilateral mechanisms should meet early, starting with the Joint Working Group on Fisheries.

Noting that this year marks 75 year of independence and establishment of diplomatic relations, both leaders agreed to mark the occasion in a suitable way.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on cooperation in regional platforms like BIMSTEC and Colombo Security Conclave. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister invited EAM to visit Sri Lanka.

During the visit, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also met National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

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The equipment display, organised in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), is aimed to showcase the niche industrial capabilities and capacities of the Indian industry on disaster relief operations. Many innovative solutions, capabilities and range of products to assist government agencies in planning, preparation and conduct of HADR operations were demonstrated to the delegates of member nations of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). A compendium of the products was also released by Shri Rajnath Singh on the occasion.

In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh termed BIMSTEC as one of the most important and closely-knit group of countries which has the potential to build a symbiotic partnership amongst like-minded nations by strengthening existing civilisational bonds. Lauding the member nations for standing by each other during natural calamities, he said, the PANEX-21 provides a fresh impetus for creating a more cohesive mechanism to respond to the HADR challenges in the region.

The Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that the exercise will facilitate improved coordination for meeting future challenges related to cyclones & earthquakes and threats like COVID-19.“Efforts by a nation directly affected by natural disaster, may quite understandably fall short due to the huge magnitude of such disasters. Thus, a multilateral effort, involving partners in Bay of Bengal region, will act as a force multiplier in pooling-in resources and orchestrating relief measures. It will accelerate the process of providing relief to people who are already distressed due to the natural disaster,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s vision for the Indian Ocean region (IOR), which is based on the concept of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), articulated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He called for deepening economic and security cooperation in the littorals; enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories; working towards sustainable regional development; blue economy and promoting collective action to deal with non-traditional threats like natural disasters, piracy and terrorism. He said, while each of these elements requires equal attention, developing an effective response mechanism to address humanitarian crisis and natural disasters is one of the most important pillars of SAGAR.

The Raksha Mantri praised the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for incorporating HADR operations as one of the foremost elements in their vision and for being the first responder in IOR. He made special mention of the pivotal role played by the defence forces and ICGin the fight against COVID-19. This commitment is reflected equally in the performance of the Armed Forces of each of the partner countries in the Bay of Bengal region, he added.

On the COVID-19 pandemic front, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that such calamities demand very specific resources which need to be moved to areas facing an emergency in a short span of time. He emphasised on the need for seamless information sharing mechanism at the regional level, establishment of protocols for moving responders & material and creating requisite capacities on the basis of country specific needs.

The Raksha Mantri mentioned about some notable HADR missions in IOR undertaken by India, including Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015 – when India evacuated over 6,700 people; cyclone in Sri Lanka in 2016; the earthquake in Indonesia in 2019; Cyclone Idai in Mozambique; and flooding and landslides in Madagascar in January 2020; Oilspill in Mauritius in August 2020 and Oil tanker fire in Sri Lanka in September 2020 during the pandemic.

Shri Rajnath Singh also lauded National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Forces and other agencies at Central, State and district levels for working bravely and tirelessly to provide relief to the people during disasters. He stressed that not only government agencies, but the participation of the private sector, local population and NGOs is critical for ensuring the success of HADR initiatives.

The Raksha Mantri hoped that the PANEX-21 will create the necessary groundwork for BIMSTEC nations to strengthen protocols, involving all stakeholders, to respond to future disasters. He called for consolidating and publishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to aid member states, expedite the conduct of disaster relief operations and save precious lives. “Each one of you, participating in this joint endeavour, brings a degree of expertise to the table. You also come with your own unique experiences. There is a need to synthesise these into a document that can be shared, circulated and be built upon for the benefit of member countries and subsequent endeavours of this kind,” he said.

Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lieutenant General JS Nain and senior civil & military officialsof Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion. The PANEX-21 is being held between December 20-22, 2021.

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The event was presided over by Mr Ajay Bhatt, hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri in the august presence of many distinguished civilian and military guests to include  Mr Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary General, BIMSTEC, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Integrated Staff(CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna and the High Commissioners and Ambassadors of the BIMSTEC Nations.

In his opening address the COAS, Gen MM Naravane, welcomed all the delegates of the member states to the event and urged them to utilize this opportunity to develop mechanisms for close transnational coordination to combat contingencies like the Pandemic in the future.  The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, in his talk on ‘Def Cooperation among BIMSTEC Nations’ highlighted the importance of drawing Common Legal Frameworks and setting up Information Sharing Mechanism to facilitate defence cooperation between security and judicial agencies of the member nations.

During his address, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Ajay Bhatt drew attention of the participants to the significance attached by India to the BIMSTEC, as part of our “Neighborhood First” policy. “The success of the last two BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx-2017 at Delhi and DMEx-2020 at Puri) speak of the close coordination mechanism that the BIMSTEC nations share”, he said.

He mentioned that managing Natural Disasters in the backdrop of a viral pandemic creates complex risks which cannot be combated by any single agency, but needs a whole of the Nation approach. He highlighted the swift and coordinated rescue and relief operation which were launched in India despite rising number of COVID cases and ongoing National lockdown. Concerted efforts were made by all agencies &organisations involved in providing relief to the affected population and every national resource was employed to save precious lives and minimize losses of livestock, property and infrastructure.He also laid emphasis on joint strategy and cooperation in overcoming the pandemic situations such like COVID.

He urged the Nation states to evolve a comprehensive BIMSTEC structure for capability development and training and to have a regional pool of Disaster Management experts aided by institutional organisations, mechanism, protocols and legal frameworks for mobilizing resources for joint responses for disasters.

A poster commemorating the forthcoming Exercise was also unveiled by Mr Ajay Bhatt during the event. The exercise will witness conduct of a Seminar, Table Top Exercises & Multi Agency Exerciseplanned from 20 Dec to 22 Dec 21 at Pune. The culmination of the event will be with the capability demonstration by Indian Industries in association with FICCI to showcase their capabilities, innovations and range of products available to assist government agencies in planning, preparation and conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.

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India is the Lead Country for BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC), which also oversees six Sub-Groups on (a) Intelligence Sharing (b) Legal and Law Enforcement (c) Countering Radicalization and Terrorism (d) Anti- Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (e) Human Trafficking and (f) Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals.

The meeting discussed emerging traditional and non-traditional security threats in the BIMSTEC region. The Indian delegation highlighted threats emanating from cross-border terrorism from terrorist groups such as LeT, JeM, HM etc. and transnational organized crime such as drug trafficking, illegal weapons smuggling etc. The meeting deliberated and made recommendations on wide ranging issues to enhance cooperation and collaboration in countering terrorism and transnational crimes in the region.

The meeting also discussed modalities for implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which entered into force on 16 March 2021 upon ratification by all Member States.

India would be hosting the tenth Meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crimes (JWG-CTTC) in 2022.

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“Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world”

– Napoleon Bonaparte

Exactly a year ago, China in a surprise move occupied Finger Four at North Bank of Pangong Tso, literally destroying the four decades plus “Peace and Tranquility”. The fragile Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was based on the five principles of Panchsheel and  Five treaties of 1954, 1993, 1996, 2005, and 2013 between the two Asian giants along the 3488 Km long-disputed borders. Ensuring strategic surprise and concealing strategic intent, China took advantage of India’s and the world’s focus on battling the Made in China Corona Virus. This was at a time when India – China relations were supposedly on the growth trajectory, consequent to the informal summit at Wuhan in April 2018 wherein the 73-day ‘Doklam Crisis’ was resolved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping issued strategic directions to their respective armies to disengage from a sensitive standoff. The Wuhan informal summit was followed by a second one at Mamallapuram, near Chennai in Oct 2019. The successful high profile, high visibility summit further strengthened the growth trajectory with the trade between the two nations at an all-time high at $95.54 billion.  Another major take away from the summit which saw a much-televised chemistry between the two of the world’s five most powerful leaders was an agreement to celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between the two nations.  2020 was designated as the Year of India-China Cultural and People to People Exchanges with a number of events planned to celebrate the rise between the two civilizations; the focus was on tourism and contact among the people of both nations aimed at building trust between the people. Establishing such confidence-building measures can help integrate the people by removing stereotypes. The millennium generation in India did not carry the burden of the 1962 debacle and was prepared to move on.

Given the growth trajectory between India and China, high profile exchanges, an ever-increasing trade, shared interests, and mutual concerns, what prompted China to do what it did along the LA?. It is a given conclusion that these were and are not tactical and operational actions taken unilaterally at the Tibet Military Division or the Western Theatre Command level. India will go very wrong if it continues to believe the much-touted narrative that China’s aggressive behaviour along the LAC aimed to disrupt the then newly operationalised (two decades in the making) Darbuk- Shyok – DBO road leading to the Karakoram pass, and deny the use of the newly reactivated strategic Air Landing Ground (ALG) at DBO. The ‘ Salami Slicing’ in Eastern Ladakh too is a planned part of the strategic game plan.

A year after China’s aggressive behaviour, it is imperative that India categorically discerns China’s strategic intent, the mid to long-term game plan, and the big picture. It is not that the Indian Government, intelligentsia, think tanks and defense experts have been unable to read the strategic signals and indicators emanating from Beijing, it is just that these need synthesis to review and reset India’s China policy. Despite the anguish post-Galwan, and China’s demonstrated aggressive and arrogant behaviour, however, the reset China policy should not be ‘Anti China’ but ‘Pro India’, aligned with our national interests. China is an adversary and let’s not make it an enemy. The key question which needs answers is as to what is China’s strategic intent, is it the game plan to contain India to attain its rightful position in the comity of nations, by ensuring that it remains tied up along the northern and western borders in addition to internal security, as also other emerging non-traditional threats.

The India-China relations under PM Modi were expected to be at an all-time high with two strong leaders with personal chemistry. What has actually transpired in the last few years despite a record number of meetings between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping, is that the India-China relations are at a nadir. China has been more assertive in all domains, be it political, diplomatic, and military. In an effort to confine India to the region, China has thwarted India’s attempts to gain its rightful place in the UN Security Council and opposed or rather blocked India’s entry to the NSG. It has also vetoed the UN resolution to declare Maulana Masood Azhar, Chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist, at the behest of Pakistan. Over the years, China has made concerted efforts to carry out the strategic encirclement of India by investing in ports and other associated infrastructure projects in Srilanka, Myanmar, Maldives, Bangladesh, and of course Pakistan and other Indian Ocean countries. This investment strategy has given China captive bases, thus not only contributing to the “String of Pearls” but also giving China the much-needed operational access and domination of the Indian Ocean.

India – China relations are a set of contradictions, with the congruence of interests, competition, coordination, and a conflict for the Geopolitical space in the emerging world order. As the power shifts from the West to the East, a risen, responsible, resurgent India, a global leader, aligned with the US, is not in the interests of China and its ambitions to challenge the US for a bipolar world. In the post-Covid emerging world order, India will be the balancing power in a US-China competition for supremacy. Hence, China perceives that India, the world’s largest democracy, is a natural strategic ally of the US. China’s strategy is premised on ensuring that India is tied down along its disputed land borders both in the North along the LAC and the West with Pakistan.

China does not tolerate dissent; a typical communist trait. China perceives India as a competitor capable of impeding the ‘China Dream’ the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a core national interest of China. India was the only nation that opposed BRI and the CPEC which is central to the BRI. China has invested heavily in BRI and hence is trying to coerce India into accepting the BRI or at best not opposing it. China has also invested nearly $62 billion in CPEC. At the strategic level, the CPEC gives China access to Gwadar Port which has been leased to China for forty years and mitigates its ‘Malacca Dilemma’ to an extent. As the CPEC passes through Indian territories occupied by Pakistan, India has vehemently opposed this project, with many voices propagating the integration of PoK with India employing military if required. This perceived threat to the CPEC is not acceptable to China, and hence it has created conditions to tie down India’s resources, focus, and energies to the LAC, practicing the tried and tested strategy of military coercion.

China also has critical strategic concerns and core interests in the Indian Ocean. India has geographical advantages both in the geopolitical and geostrategic domains. The Indian Navy is consolidating and further building capabilities to deter China by dominating the sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and choke points. India’s peninsular location advantage in the Indian Ocean is an implicit threat as China perceives that the rise of India will enhance her power to interdict Chinese shipping as they pass near the strategically located Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a key geostrategic space linking the energy-rich West Asia with East and Southeast Asia, thus intensifying the rivalry between China and India. Competition between India and China is also attributed to the trade and energy needs, as eighty percent of China’s oil needs transit through the Indian Ocean. Any disruption of this supply will adversely impact the Chinese economy on account of the   dependency on energy and seaborne trade transiting through the key strategic choke point Malacca Strait.

Much of China’s BRI projects are an attempt by China to mitigate its strategic vulnerabilities by diversifying its trade and energy routes and enhancing its political influence through expanded trade and infrastructure investments. China also feels that a resurgent and assertive India will directly threaten its core national interest of “One China Policy’ by supporting the Tibetan Cause, an unacceptable threat, as it aims to foster its own reincarnation of Dalai Lama on the Tibetans world over.

China is practicing its three strategies of ‘Military Coercion, ‘Debt Trap’ and ‘Wolf Diplomacy”, seeking a bipolar world order.  It is essential for the militaries, sinologists, and strategists to understand China’s geopolitical end game to be able to discern Beijing’s intentions and objectives.  As such Chinese forces are not only demonstrating an unprecedented aggressiveness along the India- China LAC, but also in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as part of its Military Coercion.

Post-COVID, China went into an overdrive in its ‘Wolf Diplomacy’ including the March 2021 Alaska summit where the Chinese diplomats deliberately had a public Spat with their US counterparts. India will need to discern China’s intent and the larger strategic signals emanating from Beijing, in the geopolitical domain. China aims at containing India by confining it with the territorial disputes, posturing along the LAC, exploiting Pakistan as a proxy, internal security, weaning away India’s influence in the immediate and extended neighborhood. Non-traditional security threats will be dominant as China possesses asymmetry in  Cyber warfare, space, Special operations, Biological warfare as alluded to by many in the recent pandemic. Mumbai power outage last October was possibly a Chinese Cyber attack as reported by some experts. India will need to build capabilities both defensive and deterrence to meet, mitigate and counter these threats. Creating these capabilities will divert scarce resources and may keep India away from strengthening the Navy to threaten Chinese vulnerabilities in the IOR. China seeks a pliant India which conforms to and furthers China’s geopolitical ambitions. India as an Asian giant is a threat to the ‘China Dream’.

Tactical actions have strategic implications. The Galwan ambush was planned by the PLA, the success would have ensured that these were replicated at other friction points and standoffs by the PLA, thus not only achieving moral ascendancy but also tying down the Indian Armed Forces in tactical actions along the LAC. The response by Col Santosh Babu and his troops surprised the PLA, where they suffered many more casualties than they inflicted. Galwan fight back, occupation of Kailash Ridge threatening the PLA garrison at Moldo, a proportional and equitable deployment, and a resilient measured response surprised the Chinese. The signals were clear that India will stand firm and defeat Chinese designs without blinking. While the stalemate and the posturing continue along the LAC, with India carrying out the much-needed strategic re-balancing, it is capability building in other domains especially so in the Indian Ocean which can defeat and deter China’s aggressive behavior.

In essence a risen, resilient, resurgent, responsible India, a regional power and a global leader, is not in China’s interests. China perceives India aligning with the US, as a threat to its growing ambitions to be a world power, the sole ‘Asian Giant’, an economic powerhouse, capable of impeding and interfering with the China Dream of the BRI. India is a threat to the all-critical Chinese economic and security interests in the Indian Ocean Region, capable of dominating the sea lanes of communication and the Malacca Straits. China also views India as a plausible threat to China’s core national interest of ‘One China Policy’. As India grows in stature and power, as a dominant member of various multilateral forums like the QUAD, Chair of BRICS, IBSA, G7, G20, SCO, BIMSTEC, ASEAN in addition to being the Member of the UN Security Council, China will try more and more to contain India. India will need to ‘Bind To Balance’ China albeit retaining her strategic autonomy. India will need to synergise all essential elements of national power to defeat and deter China’s strategic aims and designs to contain India.

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