Why in News
BIMSTEC’s first Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo on 11 November adopted a joint statement and the 2026–2030 public-health plan. India offered a traditional-medicine centre in Jamnagar.
Prelims Pointers
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) began with the Bangkok Declaration on 6 June 1997.
BIMSTEC has seven members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
BIMSTEC expanded from four founding members to seven.
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand were the founding members.
Myanmar joined in 1997. Bhutan and Nepal joined in 2004.
The secretariat is in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The grouping connects South Asia and Southeast Asia.
India leads Security, Nepal leads People-to-People Contact including tourism, and Sri Lanka leads Science, Technology and Innovation including health.
BIMSTEC centres are located or being established in different member countries.
The Energy Centre is in Bengaluru, India.
The Centre for Weather and Climate is in Noida, India.
The Cultural Industries Observatory is to be established in Thimphu, Bhutan.
The Technology Transfer Facility is being established in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
India will host the traditional-medicine centre at the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The health plan covers surveillance, pandemic preparedness, digital health, traditional medicine, One Health and workforce development.
One Health is an approach recognising the interdependence of human, animal, plant and environmental health.
Prelims Traps
“BIMSTEC began with the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.” This is incorrect. It began with the Bangkok Declaration, 1997. (UPSC Prelims 2025)
“Nepal was a founding member of BIMSTEC.” This is incorrect. Nepal joined in 2004, along with Bhutan. (UPSC Prelims 2025)
“BIMSTEC’s Energy Centre is in Noida.” This is incorrect. It is in Bengaluru. Noida hosts the Weather and Climate Centre. (UPSC Prelims 2026)
“India leads BIMSTEC tourism.” This is incorrect. Tourism falls under Nepal-led People-to-People Contact. (UPSC Prelims 2025)