AR

ANUPRIYA RAIAIR 258· 2025

Question Q19GS2GS2

Rather than seeing it as a replacement for SAARC, BIMSTEC must be appreciated for its critical role as a bridge between South Asia and ASEAN. Analyze. (15 marks, 250 words)

Open scan (p.47)

Main Body

BIMSTEC - refers to the organization of countries around the Bay of Bengal - Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. BIMSTEC recently adopted its charter giving the organization a legal status.

BIMSTEC is often seen as a supplement for SAARC

1Due to SAARC becoming jammed due to India-Pak bilateral issue with venue
2Can be alternative for engagement of India in regional diplomacy

However, BIMSTEC must be recognized as an important organization:

1Bridge between South Asia and ASEAN: Country like Myanmar, Thailand act as 'gateway' to ASEAN for South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh.
2BIMSTEC accounts hold 22% of world's population including India with world's second largest population.
3BIMSTEC - home to economic powerhouses like Bangladesh - exporter of textile to the world. India:- 3rd largest economy in PPP
4Upholds ecological proximity: Tag - Bhutan
144 words9 paragraphs

Diagram

Map showing BIMSTEC member countries around Bay of Bengal region with India at center, and neighboring countries Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal marked

Answer continues on next page
  • Clear definition of BIMSTEC at the start
  • Provides specific reasons why BIMSTEC is important
  • Uses quantitative data (22% of world population, 3rd largest economy)
  • Includes diagram showing geographic positioning

Topper

ANUPRIYA RAI

AIR 2582025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings affecting India

BIMSTEC

Writing Stats

144

Total words

9

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone