BBIN

BBIN
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.

Background

South Asian Growth Quadrangle

In light of economic interdependence demonstrated by "growth triangles" across Asia 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). A Malé summit one year later agreed to coordinate efforts catered "to the special individual needs of three or more Member States," 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. The priority of "connectivity" 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 would allow buses and later private vehicles with BBIN permits to travel unobstructed by border hindrances. Although manifestly of economic intent, the diplomatic weight accorded to this structure as opposed to alternatives in a region considered least integrated, was seen to connote purpose beyond interwoven commerce.

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	Secondary School Enrollment	Life Expectancy (years)
Bangladesh	143369806159.86	$572.6	$3,581	6.2%	$24.07	57.7% (age 15)	92%	54%	70
Bhutan	12101934220.78	$6.3	$8,158	6.4%	$1.18	52.8% (age 15)	91%	78%	68
India	13540400001,276.27	$7,996.6	$6,266	7.3%	$351.56	74.4% (age 7)	94%	69%	67
Nepal	5177056028.43	$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

Date	Host	Representation
April 18-19, 2013	Dhaka, Bangladesh	Ambassador, Ministry Directors
January 30-31, 2015	Delhi, India	Joint Secretaries
January 19-20, 2016	Dhaka, Bangladesh	Foreign Affairs Joint Secretaries

See also

• Foreign relations of Bangladesh
• Foreign relations of Bhutan
• Foreign relations of India
• Foreign relations of Nepal
• SASEC

Further reading

• South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Cooperation and Development. "Economic and Social Benefits Analysis of Power Trade in the South Asia Quadrangle Region" (PDF)