Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 4, 2025. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprises seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The theme of the Summit was - "BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”.

Key Highlights:

Condolences for Earthquake Victims: PM Modi expressed condolences for the lives lost in the devastating earthquake that affected Myanmar and Thailand. 
Acknowledgment of Thai Leadership: He commended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for effectively steering BIMSTEC during Thailand's chairmanship. 
BIMSTEC as a Regional Bridge: PM Modi highlighted BIMSTEC's role as a vital link between South and Southeast Asia, emphasizing its impact on regional cooperation and progress. 
Call for Strengthened Cooperation: He advocated for enhancing BIMSTEC's agenda and capacity to address shared challenges and opportunities among member nations. 
Focus on Disaster Relief: The summit underscored the importance of collaborative disaster relief efforts, especially in light of the recent earthquake. 
Controversial Attendance: Myanmar's military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended the summit, marking his first visit outside of Myanmar's main allies since 2021. His participation drew criticism due to his government's previous actions. 
Bilateral Discussions: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held bilateral talks with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, focusing on earthquake relief and border security issues, including illegal trade and drug smuggling. 
Leadership Transition: Thailand officially handed over BIMSTEC's chairmanship to Bangladesh during the summit. 

The summit reinforced BIMSTEC's commitment to fostering regional integration, enhancing trade ties, and improving collaborative disaster response mechanisms among member countries.