Kochi: India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Blue Economy cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region by hosting the first Biennial Conference of the BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) in Kochi from November 4–6.
The BIMReN initiative, launched by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in 2024, aims to promote collaborative marine research and innovation among BIMSTEC member countries. According to MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the network has so far brought together 25 institutions and over 50 researchers from across the BIMSTEC region.
In a post on X, the MEA described the event as a “key milestone” in fostering regional collaboration on marine research, ecosystem health, and sustainable blue economy initiatives. The network facilitates cooperation through twinning research grants and split-site PhD fellowships, linking leading Indian institutions with their counterparts in other BIMSTEC nations.
Originally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2022 BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo, BIMReN aligns with India’s broader foreign policy strategies, including Neighbourhood First, Act East, Indo-Pacific, and MAHASAGAR initiatives.
The inaugural conference in Kochi provided a platform for BIMReN partners to review progress, share research outcomes, and discuss future collaborations. Discussions focused on marine challenges, ecosystem sustainability, capacity-building for young researchers, and the development of harmonized regional policies for effective marine resource management.
The MEA noted that the launch of BIMReN underscores India’s long-term dedication to sustainable fisheries and marine resource management in the Bay of Bengal — a region that accounts for 6% of global fish catch and hosts over one-third of the world’s fishing fleet.
The event marked a significant step toward building a collaborative scientific network in the Bay of Bengal region, promoting innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity among BIMSTEC nations.
