On April 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, where he unveiled several India-led initiatives focused on institution and capacity building across the region. Key announcements included the setting up of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India for Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Agriculture Research & Training.
He also launched the BODHI programme (BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure), aimed at providing training and scholarships to youth, professionals, and researchers. Other initiatives included a pilot study on Digital Public Infrastructure, a cancer care capacity-building programme, and the proposal for an annual BIMSTEC Business Summit in India, alongside the creation of a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
PM Modi welcomed the signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, adoption of the Bangkok Vision 2030, and the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons Group Report. He paid tribute to victims of the recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand, and praised Thailand’s leadership in BIMSTEC.
Additionally, PM Modi visited the Wat Pho Buddhist Temple in Bangkok, highlighting the cultural ties between India and Thailand.
Later the same day, PM Modi arrived in Colombo for a three-day state visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. He was received by Sri Lankan ministers at the airport. During his visit, PM Modi will engage in bilateral talks, inaugurate Indian-assisted projects, and visit Anuradhapura, where he will pray at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple and inaugurate railway connectivity projects in the northern region.
