Which of the following sets of nations are members of the BIMSTEC Initiative?

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven member states from South and Southeast Asia [2]. The grouping was established on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration, initially as BIST-EC with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand [2]. Myanmar joined in December 1997, followed by Nepal and Bhutan in 2004 [2]. Consequently, the current members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand [1]. The organization serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, focusing on 14 priority sectors including trade, transport, and energy. Unlike SAARC, which includes the Maldives and Pakistan, BIMSTEC specifically unites nations dependent on or adjacent to the Bay of Bengal [2]. Indonesia is not a member of BIMSTEC.

Sources

1. [2] https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-BIMSTE-2025.pdf
2. [1] https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/multilateral-cooperations/bay-bengal-initiative-multi-sectoral-technical-and-economic-cooperation-bimstec