Providing a brief overview of the aims and objectives of BIMSTEC, explain its significance for the countries of South Asia and South-East Asia.

Duty-free trades among member countries (2) BIMSTEC FTA negotiations 2009 (3) Cross-Border connectivity by building logistics network - (1) Indiamaya-Thailand Lalakese (4) Energy security & connecting by grid infrastructure - (8) BIMSTEC Green Energy, Grand India Corridor scheme 2025 (5) Reduce cross-border terrorism & supply a rule-based cycle. Significance for India: (1) Strategic autonomy - by engagement at multiple powers. (2) BIMSTEC & QUAD (2) Regional stability for greater domestic investment. (3) Neighborhood first policy (3) Aligning with domestic goals like (4) Act East policy