The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India hosted the inaugural session of the first-ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit today in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the goal of strengthening youth collaboration across the region and facilitating the exchange of youth-led initiatives among BIMSTEC Member Countries. The session was held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt. Raksha Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, and Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.

Driving Youth-Led Development !

Addressed the BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 alongside CM of Gujarat, Shri @Bhupendrapbjp Ji. This summit marks a significant milestone in fostering youth-led collaboration, innovation and regional growth.

At the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, PM… pic.twitter.com/XKaRSZcZe0

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) February 8, 2025

In his address, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the pivotal role of young leaders in shaping a resilient, prosperous, and interconnected BIMSTEC community. He highlighted the immense potential of the region’s youth, who make up more than 60% of BIMSTEC’s 1.8 billion population, stressing the need for skill development and opportunities in a fast-evolving global landscape. Dr. Mandaviya also showcased India’s commitment to youth empowerment, citing initiatives like the Skill India Mission, the National Education Policy 2020, and the PM Internship Scheme, which have trained over 15 million youth in fields like AI, robotics, and digital technologies. He further underscored India’s thriving startup ecosystem, which is now the third-largest in the world, with over 157,000 startups, nearly half of which are women-led.

He proposed that BIMSTEC nations should collaborate to build an integrated regional startup network to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Dr. Mandaviya announced India’s proposal for BIMSTEC to serve as a “Youth Bridge,” a multi-sectoral initiative to empower young leaders through knowledge-sharing, leadership programs, and regional networking opportunities. This initiative aims to create a transformative platform that integrates entrepreneurship, sports, academia, and technology.

In his remarks, Shri Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, echoed the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, describing the Bay of Bengal as a vital bridge for connectivity, prosperity, and security, essential for fostering regional unity and growth.

Shri Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, spoke on the shared history and common values that bind the BIMSTEC nations. He stressed that the region, home to more than 1.7 billion people, offers vast opportunities and challenges, and emphasized that the strength of BIMSTEC lies in its deep-rooted bond across borders.

Dr. Mandaviya also engaged in one-on-one interactions with BIMSTEC Youth delegates, during which he highlighted the Government’s Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Initiative, which empowers Indian youth to engage, exchange ideas, and contribute to the country’s growth. Heads of delegations from the seven BIMSTEC member countries also showcased their respective countries’ youth development initiatives, focusing on strategies for empowering youth populations and promoting innovation.

A session on “Viksit Bharat @2047” was chaired by Smt. Raksha Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, where she outlined India’s vision for a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the key role youth will play in realizing this vision.

The summit also featured a panel discussion on “Celebrating Diversity across BIMSTEC Countries,” which delved into the importance of cultural inclusivity, mutual cooperation, and shared heritage in strengthening regional ties. Following this, a session on “Digital Infrastructure for Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainability” explored the role of technology in promoting equitable economic progress and sustainable development.

The day concluded with a visit to Dandi Kutir, where delegates immersed themselves in the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, gaining a deeper understanding of his ideals and contributions to India’s freedom movement.

Day 1 of the summit set the stage for meaningful exchanges, insightful discussions, and the exploration of collaborative solutions and partnerships for the future. The day ended on a vibrant note with a cultural performance by local artists, celebrating the theme of unity in diversity.

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Himanshu Pathak

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