New Delhi [India], February 9: India is hosting the first-ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from February 7 to 11, 2025, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This major initiative follows a commitment made during the 4th BIMSTEC Summit and is jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of External Affairs, with CII Young Indians (CII YI) as the knowledge partner. The Summit provides an important platform for young leaders from BIMSTEC nations to discuss regional cooperation and address emerging challenges.
In a recent post on social media, the Official Spokesperson for the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted the event: “The 1st BIMSTEC Youth Summit with the theme ‘Youth as a Bridge for Intra-BIMSTEC Exchange‘ was inaugurated by Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, and Jaideep Mazumder, Secretary (East) of MEA, in Gandhinagar.”
The three-day event gathers youth leaders from across BIMSTEC nations to discuss critical regional issues, focusing on areas such as entrepreneurship, technology, digital connectivity, sustainable development, and the importance of cross-border cooperation. Jaiswal also noted that the Summit encourages the forging of ties beyond national boundaries to overcome shared challenges.
The Summit reaffirms India’s dedication to enhancing regional cooperation in line with its Neighborhood First and Act East policies, alongside the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
The event was formally inaugurated on February 8 by prominent leaders including Mansukh Mandaviya, Bhupendrabhai Patel, Raksha Khadse, and Jaideep Mazumder. Discussions at the Summit cover topics such as cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, technological advancements, and sustainable growth. These themes are integral to the development of regional cooperation and fostering collaboration among BIMSTEC member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The Summit aims to inspire youth across the region to actively engage in solving economic and social development challenges. It encourages the sharing of innovative ideas, fosters youth empowerment, and promotes intergenerational knowledge exchange for a brighter, more connected future.
Through this initiative, India emphasizes its commitment to building stronger regional ties and promoting youth-led collaboration that will drive future progress in the BIMSTEC region.