BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) Conference Concludes in Kochi

The first biennial conference of the BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) concluded in Kochi on 6 November 2025.

• The three-day event (November 4–6) marked a major step in strengthening regional collaboration for sustainable blue economy initiatives in the Bay of Bengal region.

Participants and Objectives

• The conference brought together scientists, researchers, and policymakers from BIMSTEC member countries.
• Participants reviewed progress under the BIMReN initiative and discussed new pathways for collective marine research and innovation.

About BIMReN

• The BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) was launched in 2024 by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
• It aims to promote institutional partnerships through:
  • Twinning research grants
  • Split-site PhD fellowships
• These mechanisms link leading Indian marine research institutes with their counterparts across BIMSTEC nations.

Strategic Significance

• The initiative was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Colombo BIMSTEC Summit in 2022.
• BIMReN aligns with India’s broader foreign policy frameworks, including:
  • Neighbourhood First Policy
  • Act East Policy
  • Indo-Pacific Vision
  • MAHASAGAR (Maritime Cooperation) Strategy

Key Focus Areas

• Strengthening regional marine research collaboration
• Promoting sustainable fisheries, ocean health, and climate resilience
• Enhancing capacity-building and knowledge exchange among member states

Outcome

• The conference reaffirmed the collective commitment of BIMSTEC nations to leverage marine science and technology for a sustainable and inclusive blue economy in the Bay of Bengal.

Source: DD News