Context: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports officially inaugurated the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focused on promoting cooperation and developing leadership abilities among the youth from BIMSTEC nations.

About BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025

• Origin: BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 was conceptualized or proposed during the 4th BIMSTEC Summit (Held in Nepal).

• Host: Gandhinagar, Gujarat

• Organised by: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of External Affairs, with the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Young Indians (CII YI) as the knowledge partner.

• Theme: ‘Youth as a bridge for intra-BIMSTEC exchange’

• Aim: The Summit provides a platform for young leaders from BIMSTEC nations to engage in discussions on regional cooperation and emerging challenges.

Key Features & Functions:

• Leadership & Skill Development: Focus on training youth in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and digital technologies.

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Proposal to create a regional startup network within BIMSTEC nations.

• Youth Policy & Governance: Sessions on policy discussions for regional youth empowerment.

• Cultural & Heritage Exchange: Promoting mutual cooperation through cultural engagements and visits like Dandi Kutir.

• Sustainable Development & Digital Growth: Discussions on technology, climate resilience, and economic sustainability.

• Viksit Bharat @2047: India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047, chaired by Raksha Khadse.

About BIMSTEC

• Established: 6 June 1997 (Formed under the Bangkok Declaration as BIST-EC)

• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Permanent Secretariat since 2014)

• Founding Declaration: BIMSTEC Declaration (2004)

• Member Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

• Current Secretary-General: Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey (India)