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BBIN
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|---|---|---|
 Member states shaded dark green.
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| Formalized | ||
| • | SAGQ | 14 May 1997 |
| • | JWG | 31 January 2015 |
| Area | ||
| • | Total | 3,499,559 km2 1,351,187 sq mi |
| Population | ||
| • | 2014 estimate | 1,465,236,000 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2015 estimate | |
| • | Total | $8.646 trillion |
The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative is a sub regional coordinative architecture of countries in South Asia.[1] It operates through Joint Working Groups (JWG) comprising official representation from each member state to formulate, implement and review quadrilateral agreements. Areas of cooperation include water resources management, connectivity of power grids, multi-modal transport, freight and trade infrastructure.[2]
Contents
Background[edit]
South Asian Growth Quadrangle[edit]
In light of economic interdependence through "growth triangles" across Asia,[3] and hitherto unaddressed concerns of eastern subcontinent nations, Council of Ministers in May 1996 approved a sub regional body of Bhutan, Nepal, north east India and Bangladesh as the South Asian Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ).[4] A Malé summit one year later enabled separate multipartite efforts catered "to the special individual needs of three or more Member States,"[5] and thence formal procedures were undertaken. Focused on the subcontinent's north east, it endeavoured to cooperate on trade, investment, communication, tourism, energy and natural resources development. Targeted areas of collaboration were adjudged to enable an environment of accelerated growth and complementarity.[6]
As the group operated based upon specific projects, constituent members could integrate without alteration of broader policy or methods of governance. It sought to impel the subregion's latent socio economic potential, with disparate stages of development able to augment each other. Borders of member states rest within 50 kilometres of Siliguri, ergo contiguousness and similarities of culture, tradition and lifestyle amongst inhabitants underlined the importance of an integrated sub regional market.[4] Particular emphasis was placed upon power trading between upstream and energy-scarce areas to address the immediate impact of shortages on industrial production. Given that it would reverse depressed rates of growth by meeting demand, reduce transmission and distribution losses through interconnected grids, and provide much needed revenue for upstream nations with adverse balance of payments, the benefits of coordination to facilitate such trade, through concerted strategy and removal of barriers, remain veritably acute.[7]
Its objectives were expanded over years to incorporate substantial land and port connectivity. Procurement of funds to this purpose was discussed at ADB headquarters, Manila, where formulation of the South Asia Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program within auspices of ADB concluded in March, 2001. Intended to facilitate cross border initiatives between these nations, the formation worked toward economic synergy through arterial channels of trade. Part of this links West Bengal and remote north eastern states through Bangladesh by rail, highway and maritime corridors, alongside north-south transport routes that span Nepal, Bhutan and Indian hill states to northern Bay of Bengal ports. Such grids would then bridge other regions throughout member states and beyond eastward.[4] With accession of Maldives and Sri Lanka to SASEC in March, 2014, notions of quadripartite integration appeared to be subsumed or rendered dormant.
Déjà vu[edit]
Informal discussions gradually developed another consensus around sub regional ties beyond bilateral agreements, given greater impetus by continued failure of extant regional mechanisms to deliver notable change in trade, power and infrastructural linkages.[8] A November 2014 summit held at Kathmandu saw vast endorsement of an accord on land transport by regional states, apart from reservations of one country which caused it to fall through. However, the Summit Declaration encouraged sub regional initiatives as part of efforts toward greater regional connectedness. A framework for cooperation between four eastern region countries was subsequently realized,[9] with the first quaternary Joint Working Group meeting in January, 2015.[10][11]
Framework[edit]
Through regular sessions of Joint Working Groups, representatives explore avenues of cooperation, exchange experiences, views and best practices across several sectors, review data sharing arrangements for disaster mitigation and environmental forecasting, as well as strengthen transit facilitation measures such as shared border stations on key routes and harmonized customs procedures.[12] The priority for member states had been identified as "connectivity",[13] embodied by seamless electrical grids, shared access to road, rail, air and port infrastructure, and ease of travel. To this end, a sub regional Motor Vehicle Agreement that garnered assent in Thimphu[14] allows buses and later private vehicles with a BBIN permit to travel unobstructed by border hindrances between the four members.[15] Although such initiatives further augment trade ties and commerce,[16] the importance accorded this architecture over others,[17] in a region deemed least integrated,[18] was considered to bear political and strategic undertones.[19]
Member States[edit]
| Country | Population (mn) | GDP (PPP) (bn) |
GDP per Capita (PPP) |
GDP Growth Rate (2014) |
Foreign Exchange Reserves (bn) | Literacy Rate (Given age & above) | Primary School Enrollment[20] | Secondary School Enrollment[21] | Life Expectancy (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bangladesh |
159.86 | $572.6 | $3,581 | 6.2% | $24.07 | 57.7% (age 15) | 92% | 54% | 70 |
 Bhutan |
0.78 | $6.3 | $8,158 | 6.4% | $1.18[22] | 52.8% (age 15) | 91% | 78% | 68 |
 India |
1,276.27 | $7,996.6 | $6,266 | 7.3% | $351.56 | 74.4% (age 7) | 94% | 69% | 67 |
 Nepal |
28.43 | $70.7 | $2,488 | 5.5% | $5.44 | 66% (age 15) | 98% | 67% | 68 |
Data sourced from the International Monetary Fund, current as of April 2015, and is given in US dollars.[1]
Meetings of Joint Working Groups[edit]
| Date | Host | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| January, 2015 | Delhi, India |
Joint Secretaries [2] |
| February, 2015 | Delhi, India |
Secretaries of Transport [9] |
| June, 2015 | Thimphu, Bhutan |
Transport Ministers [1] |
| 2015 End | TBD | Committee [17] |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ a b "India explores scope for power trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal". Economic Times. January 31, 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ Refer to the SIJORI, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand or South China Growth Triangle.
- ^ a b c Ahluwalia, Isher Judge. "Economic Cooperation in South Asia" (PDF). JICA Research Institute. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Ninth SAARC Summit – The Malé Declaration" (PDF). Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ Jain, Sonu. "Regional Cooperation in South Asia, India Perspectives" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Impact and Benefits of Power Trading in the South Asia Growth Quadrangle" (PDF). South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Cooperation and Development. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ Pattanaik, Smruti S (June 9, 2015). "Pegging Sub-regionalism with Bilateralism". The Daily Star. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic amongst BBIN". Business Standard. June 10, 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ "Joint Press Release - The Second Joint Working Group (JWG) Meetings on Sub-Regional Cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) in (New Delhi (January 30-31, 2015)". MEA, Government of India. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ Kumar, Amit. "BBIN: Sub-Regionalism in the SAARC" (PDF). Indian Council of World Affairs. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "BBIN emphasises power sharing between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal". Nepal Energy Forum. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ "Modi takes jibes at Pakistan over scuttling SAARC connectivity, FCN". India Gazette. June 8, 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Ramaswamy, Sridhar (June 21, 2015). "A Boost to Sub-Regionalism in South Asia". The Diplomat. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Straight Drive to B’desh, Bhutan Soon". The New Indian Express. June 11, 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Bhattacharjee, Rupak. "Modi’s Dhaka Visit: A Paradigm Shift In India-Bangladesh Relations – Analysis Modi’s Dhaka Visit: A Paradigm Shift In India-Bangladesh Relations – Analysis". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ a b Zaman, Sheikh Shahariar; Mamun, Shohel (June 16, 2015). "BBIN motor vehicle agreement signed". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Regional Integration in South Asia". World Bank. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Sharma, Rajeev (June 11, 2015). "Setting the tone for future". Arab News. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ World Bank, Primary School Enrolment
- ^ World Bank, Secondary School Enrolment
- ^ Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Selected Economic Indicators December 2014
Further reading[edit]
- Banskota, Narottam P. (2012). South Asia Trade and Energy Security: The Role of India. Universal-Publishers. p. 56. ISBN 9781612331744.
- Baral, Lok Raj; Dubey, Muchkund; Sobhan, Rehman (2000). South Asian Growth Quadrangle: Framework for Multifaceted Cooperation. Macmillan.
- Dash, Kishore C. (2008). Regionalism in South Asia: Negotiating Cooperation, Institutional Structures. Routledge. p. 164. ISBN 9781134084531.
- Dixit, Aabha. "SAARC: Toward Greater Cooperation". IDSA.
- Dutta, Dilip (2000). Economic Liberalisation and Institutional Reforms in South Asia: Recent Experiences and Future Prospects. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 9788171568475.
- Dwivedi, Manan (2009). South Asia Security. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 164–165. ISBN 9788178357591.
- Hassan, M. Kabir (2000). "Trade Relations With SAARC Countries and Trade Policies of Bangladesh" (PDF). Journal of Economic Cooperation 21 (3): 99–151.
- Michael, Arndt (2013). India's Foreign Policy and Regional Multilateralism. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137263131.
- Padmaja, G. (25 March 2015). "Sub-Regional Cooperation Can Give SAARC New Wings – Analysis". Eurasia Review.
- Ray, Jayanta Kumar (2007). Aspects of India's International Relations, 1700 to 2000: South Asia and the World. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9788131708347.
- South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Cooperation and Development. "Economic and Social Benefits Analysis of Power Trade in the South Asia Quadrangle Region" (PDF)
- Sridharan, Kripa; Srinivasa-Raghavan,T. C. A. (2007). Regional Cooperation in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 220. ISBN 9789812304353.