First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival

The first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival took place in New Delhi on August 4, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations organized the event under the Ministry of External Affairs of India. This festival fulfilled a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April 2025. The aim was to strengthen connections among people in the BIMSTEC region.

Key Highlights of festival

1. Organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival named ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’ celebrated the unique musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries.
2. The festival provided a lively platform to honor and promote the rich and varied cultural heritage of the BIMSTEC region.
3. The event featured musicians from all the BIMSTEC countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

About BIMSTEC

1. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a group of seven member states located in the littoral and nearby areas of the Bay of Bengal.
2. The organization started in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. It connects South and Southeast Asian nations that border the Bay of Bengal.
3. Founding Members (1997): Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
4. Current Members (7): Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
5. Objective: To assist countries in economic growth, support social development, and encourage progress in other fields such as science, technology, and economic development.
6. The BIMSTEC region includes 1.7 billion people, accounting for 22% of the world population, with a combined GDP of US$ 5 trillion.
7. BIMSTEC Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Significance of BIMSTEC for India

1. BIMSTEC links India with Thailand and Myanmar (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal. It supports projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project and the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
2. It strengthens India’s regional influence and provides an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
3. The Bay of Bengal is crucial for India’s naval strategy and energy trade routes.
4. It creates new opportunities for development and integration of the Northeast region with regional markets.
5. The Bay of Bengal offers potential for collaboration in oil and gas exploration, renewable energy, and the blue economy.
6. It shares historical connections, common cultural and religious heritage, particularly Buddhism. This allows for easier regional travel, promotion of Buddhist circuits, and cultural exchanges.
7. With SAARC facing challenges due to Indo-Pak tensions, BIMSTEC acts as a more effective regional forum. visit here

Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted music’s role as a connector between nations and a strong symbol of cultural identity and heritage, especially during uncertain geopolitical times. The festival showcased India’s leadership in promoting cultural integration and dialogue among the BIMSTEC countries.for more World News link here www.eminentnews.com