India presented its national perspective on implementing the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC) at a workshop in Bangkok, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional maritime connectivity, cooperation and sustainable growth across the Bay of Bengal region.
India was represented by Ravi Kumar M, Deputy Director General (Coastal & Tech), Directorate General of Maritime Administration, and Manoj Kumar Singh, Under Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The presentation traced the AMTC’s evolution from the BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement to its signing by the Foreign Ministers of all seven BIMSTEC member states on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025.
India highlighted that it was the first contracting party to deposit its Instrument of Ratification, ahead of the four-ratification threshold required for the Agreement to enter into force.
The AMTC provides for national treatment of vessels and crew, mutual recognition of certificates, simplified customs and port procedures, and establishment of a Joint Shipping Committee (JSC) to oversee implementation.
India also supported a parallel-track approach to continue work on the JSC and Standard Operating Procedures without waiting for the proposed amendment under Article XIV consultations.
Implementation of the agreement is aligned with Sagarmala 2.0, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, while supporting India’s Act East, Neighbourhood First and SAGAR frameworks.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reiterated its commitment to working with BIMSTEC member states to expedite ratification and operationalise the AMTC as a unified maritime connectivity framework for the Bay of Bengal region.