REGIONAL COOPERATION
THE GEOPOLITICAL REALITIES AND BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION ( BIMSTEC )
BY BINOJ BASNYAT *
Political and economic institutions , intergovernmental bodies , international organisations , geopolitical unions , sub-regional forums , legal agreements , and project based partnerships are set up either in the aftermath of major wars or when nation states feel the need for cumulative efforts to address changing socio-political realities . The League of Nations was formed after the First World War , but the importance of such a supranational organisation was realised more strongly after the Second World War . The United Nations was formed in 1945 , and its various organs particularly the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ), World Bank ( WB ), and World Trade Organization ( WTO ) have framed the political and economic order of our times . These alliances and institutions have brought the world together , shaped the global economy and guarded our race against annihilating escalations .
While China and US ’ trade war and tariff feud continue , Indo-US security co-operation has moved forward after the 2 + 2 dialogue with the signing of the COMCASA for secure communication . The agreement puts emphasis on necessitating work in extending cooperation with allies and partner countries to encourage transparent , responsible , and sustainable debt financing practices in infrastructure development with respect to China ’ s Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI ).
This year witnessed renewed global interest vis-à-vis great diplomatic and geopolitical maneuverings in the Indo-Pacific region , which could spell either a shift in global geopolitical focus or conflict at reconfiguring international security . The magnitude of the Asian order will occupy a fundamental position in the years ahead . President Trump has stressed from time to time on making America great again , while China is moving forward with economic strides to replace the US ’ global footing . Under such circumstances , India ’ s course of action will command attention and be vital for both the United States and China .
It is imperative for smaller nations to see the larger geostrategic picture and understand geopolitical trends to foster a strong bond with both India and China as the two complete for Asian Hegemony .
Geo-Strategic Picture
US policies for the Indo-Pacific , Rising China , Resurging Russia , and most importantly Rising India will play an important part in the South Asian growth story .
With the four strategic policy papers , the Indo-Pacific region on Washington ’ s radar has three visible feeders : one , strengthening security arrangements through partnership and alliances ; two , competitive diplomacy with larger use
U . S . Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , U . S . Secretary of Defence James Mattis , India ' s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and India ' s Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pose after a joint news conference after a meeting in New Delhi
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018 , Noida • 43