For regional groups like BIMSTEC—comprising seven nations straddling South and Southeast Asia—there’s hardly a big need for grand declarations.

Instead, practical architecture is the need of the hour. The 21-point action plan discussed at the recent BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand, may provide a window of opportunity.

The plan mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi may provide the template for sustainable relations between member-countries to navigate the complexity of interdependence, climate risk and digital transition. The proposal has gained significance due to the timing and the unambitious objectives it seeks to achieve.

Given that it is under-networked, the Bay of Bengal region has a key role to play in supply chain resilience, energy connection and climate vulnerability.

A structured cooperation to deal with key issues is essential for sustaining the relationship for the shared prosperity of people in the region. For instance, setting up a Bay of Bengal Chamber of Commerce and the decision to hold an annual business summit will work wonders for the region.

Emphasis on business and trade recognises that economic integration is not only a desired goal but a necessity to further regional integration and ward off global disruptions. The move to explore the possibility of undertaking trade in local currencies would help mitigate vulnerability to external financial disturbances.

Deliberations on the shift to digital infrastructure are equally well-founded. Recognising uneven digital capacities in the region, the idea of conducting pilot research on the applicability of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is prudent.

Without pushing for the adoption of digital infrastructure put together by Bharat, the proposal gains importance as it provides a clear path to........

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