What happened:
On November 7, 2025, India strengthened its Blue Economy cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region by hosting the first Biennial Conference of the BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) in Kochi. Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of External Affairs, BIMReN has so far connected 25 institutions and over 50 researchers from BIMSTEC countries.
Why it matters to India:
The conference marked a key milestone in advancing regional collaboration on marine research and sustainable Blue Economy initiatives. The network facilitates institutional partnerships through research grants and PhD fellowships, linking Indian research institutions with those in other BIMSTEC nations. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2022 Colombo BIMSTEC Summit, BIMReN aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East, Indo-Pacific, and MAHASAGAR strategies, reflecting India’s long-term commitment to sustainable fisheries management and marine innovation in the Bay of Bengal.