BBIN

BBIN
Member states shaded dark green.
Member states shaded dark green.
Formalized
 •  SAGQ 14 May 1997 
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 architecture of countries in South Asia. It meets through official representation of member states to formulate, implement and review quadrilateral agreements across areas such as water resources management, connectivity of power, transport, and infrastructure.[1]

Background

South Asian Growth Quadrangle

In light of economic interdependence demonstrated by "growth triangles" across Asia[2] and hitherto unheeded concerns of eastern subcontinent nations, its Council of Ministers in May 1996 approved a sub regional body of Nepal, Bhutan, north east India and Bangladesh as the South Asian Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ).[3] A Malé summit one year later agreed to coordinate efforts catered "to the special individual needs of three or more Member States,"[4] and formalized procedures focused on the subcontinent's north east to develop intra-regional trade and investment, tourism, communication, and energy resources. Particular areas of collaboration were targeted to channel growth and complementarity.[5]

As the mechanism operated through specific projects, constituent members endeavoured to integrate without requiring alteration in broader policy or methods of governance. It sought to impel the subregion's latent socio economic potential, harnessing disparate stages of development to augment each other. Borders of member states rest within 50 kilometres of Siliguri, ergo contiguous norms, tradition and lifestyle amongst inhabitants underscore the importance of an integrated market.[3] Considerable emphasis was placed upon power trading between naturally abundant and energy-scarce localities to address the impact of shortages on industrial production, reverse consequently depressed rates of growth, reduce transmission and distribution losses through interconnected grids, and provide needed revenue for upstream nations with adverse balance of payments. However, the benefits of such trade remain untapped in the absence of concerted strategy to remove barriers.[6]

Over years its objectives expanded to incorporate land and port connectivity. Procurement of funds for 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. The formation worked toward economic synergy through arterial channels of trade and cross border initiatives. For instance, to link 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. These grids would then bridge extraneous regions throughout member states and beyond eastwards.[3] With accession of Maldives and Sri Lanka to SASEC in March, 2014, notions of quadripartite integration appeared subsumed or rendered dormant.

Déjà vu

Informal discussions led to renewed consensus on sub regional ties outside bilateral agreements, owing partly to continued failure of extant systems.[7] A November 2014 Kathmandu summit saw endorsement of an accord on land transport by regional states, apart from one country's reservations causing it to fall through. The subsequent Summit Declaration reiterated sub regional steps as contributory to wider connectedness. A framework for cooperation was subsequently drawn, with the first quaternary Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in January, 2015.[8][9]

Framework and Implications

Through regular JWG sessions, representatives explore avenues of cooperation, exchange experiences and best practices, review data sharing arrangements for disaster forecasts and mitigation, besides strengthening transit facilitation measures such as shared border stations on key routes and harmonized customs procedures.[10] The priority of "connectivity"[11] further embodies seamless electrical grids, shared access to road, rail, air and port infrastructure, and ease of travel. To such ends, a sub regional Motor Vehicle Agreement that garnered assent in Thimphu[12] would allow buses and later private vehicles with BBIN permits to travel unobstructed by border hindrances.[13][14] Although manifestly of economic intent, the diplomatic weight accorded to this structure as opposed to alternatives in a region considered least integrated,[15] was seen to connote purpose beyond interwoven commerce.[16]

Member States

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[17] Secondary School Enrollment[18] Life Expectancy
(years)
 Bangladesh 159.86$572.6$3,5816.2%$24.0757.7% (age 15)92%54%70
 Bhutan 0.78$6.3$8,1586.4%$1.18[19]52.8% (age 15)91%78%68
 India 1,276.27$7,996.6$6,2667.3%$351.5674.4% (age 7)94%69%67
   Nepal 28.43$70.7$2,4885.5%$5.4466% (age 15)98%67%68
Data sourced from the International Monetary Fund, current as of April 2015, and is given in US dollars.

Meetings of Joint Working Groups

Date Host Representation
April 18–19, 2013 Dhaka,  Bangladesh Ambassador, Ministry Directors [20][21]
January 30–31, 2015 Delhi,  India Joint Secretaries [1]
January 19–20, 2016 Dhaka,  Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Joint Secretaries [22][23]

Motor Vehicle Agreement

India proposed a SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement during the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 2014. Due to objections from Pakistan, an agreement could not be reached. India instead pursued a similar motor vehicle agreement with the BBIN. The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed on 15 June 2015.[24][25] It enables vehicles to enter any of the four nations without the need for trans-shipment of goods from one country's truck to another's at the border. Under the system, cargo vehicles are tracked electronically, permits are issued online and sent electronically to all land ports. Vehicles are fitted with an electronic seal that alerts regulators every time the container door is opened.[25]

DHL Global Forwarding was appointed by the Indian government to carry out a pilot run under the agreement. The first cargo truck to take advantage of the motor vehicle agreement was flagged off from Kolkata on 1 November 2015. The truck traveled 640 km to reach Agartala via Dhaka. Prior to the signing of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, the truck would have had to travel 1550 km through Indian territory to reach Agartala. Officials cited this as an example of the time and cost savings that the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement would bring.[25]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "India explores scope for power trade with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal". Economic Times. January 31, 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Refer to the SIJORI, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand or South China Growth Triangle.
  3. 1 2 3 Ahluwalia, Isher Judge. "Economic Cooperation in South Asia" (PDF). JICA Research Institute. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Ninth SAARC Summit – The Malé Declaration" (PDF). Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Jain, Sonu. "Regional Cooperation in South Asia, India Perspectives" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ Pattanaik, Smruti S (June 9, 2015). "Pegging Sub-regionalism with Bilateralism". The Daily Star. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Amit. "BBIN: Sub-Regionalism in the SAARC" (PDF). Indian Council of World Affairs. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "BBIN emphasises power sharing between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal". Nepal Energy Forum. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Modi takes jibes at Pakistan over scuttling SAARC connectivity, FCN". India Gazette. June 8, 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Ramaswamy, Sridhar (June 21, 2015). "A Boost to Sub-Regionalism in South Asia". The Diplomat. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Straight Drive to B'desh, Bhutan Soon". The New Indian Express. June 11, 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  14. ↑ Law, Abhishek (November 1, 2015). "BBIN motor vehicles agreement implemented". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Regional Integration in South Asia". World Bank. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  16. ↑ Sharma, Rajeev (June 11, 2015). "Setting the tone for future". Arab News. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  17. ↑ World Bank, Primary School Enrolment
  18. ↑ World Bank, Secondary School Enrolment
  19. ↑ Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Selected Economic Indicators December 2014
  20. ↑ "Joint Press Statement on the 1st meeting of Bangladesh-Bhutan-India trilateral Joint Working Group on Connectivity and Transit". HCI, Dhaka. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Bangladesh-India-Bhutan meet in Dhaka Thursday, Friday". Bangladesh Business News. April 16, 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "BBIN to talk rail project". The Kathmandu Post. January 22, 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  23. ↑ "Joint working groups BBIN sub-regional cooperation meetings held in Bangladesh". Xinhua News. January 20, 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic amongst BBIN". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  25. 1 2 3 Law, Abhishek (1 November 2015). "BBIN motor vehicles agreement implemented". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 12 July 2016.

Further reading

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