NA adopts BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Cooperation

Thinley Namgay   

The National Assembly (NA) yesterday unanimously adopted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation yesterday at the ongoing third session of the fourth Parliament.   

All 43 Members of Parliament (MPs) present voted in favour of the agreement.   

Following the House’s rules of procedure, Speaker Lungten Dorji instructed the NA Secretariat Office to submit the agreement to the National Council for further review.

The House deliberated on all 15 articles of the agreement, with discussions receiving only minor comments on certain sections. Prior to this, the Human Rights and Foreign Relations Committee conducted extensive consultations with relevant agencies.

The agreement is expected to further strengthen ties among the seven BIMSTEC member states: Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) serves as the focal ministry overseeing this agreement, and MoIT Minister Chandra Bdr Gurung extended his gratitude to the Human Rights and Foreign Relations Committee members and the House for their support.

The agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and trade by promoting mutual cooperation, granting national treatment to vessels, simplifying administrative procedures, boosting investment in maritime infrastructure, and fostering regional economic growth and stability. It also holds the potential to improve cross-border trade and encourage investment in port infrastructure, logistics, and related sectors.

With Bhutan aspiring to become a high-income, Gross National Happiness-based economy, many view this agreement as a significant opportunity for the country to access maritime facilities in neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh.

It would also provide a platform for Bhutanese traders to utilise the maritime services of other BIMSTEC member countries. Of the seven member states, only Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have yet to adopt the convention.

An important aspect of the agreement is the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as per Article 10. The Article states that  SOP shall be established for smooth commercial maritime activities between the contracting parties, to activate, operate, and facilitate the agreement.

The MoIT is tasked with developing this SOP on behalf of the government and submitting it to the Foreign Ministry.

The MoIT has already submitted the SOP to the Foreign Ministry in accordance with established norms. The Foreign Ministry, in turn, has submitted the SOP to the BIMSTEC Secretariat and is currently awaiting a response.   

The House expressed confidence that the convention would have no negative impact on Bhutan. The draft agreement was negotiated and finalised during the 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on March 9, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand, and subsequently signed during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit held on April 4 of this year in Thailand.