Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) at the MEA, described the pact as a "big step forward" for realizing the connectivity ambitions of the grouping, which includes countries from both South and Southeast Asia.
"India is very strongly committed to increasing connectivity within BIMSTEC, because a lot of things we want to do in terms of regional integration are tied up with connectivity," Mazumdar said.
Mazumdar emphasized that Prime Minister Modi remains "personally invested" in BIMSTEC, as demonstrated by the fact that he had invited his BIMSTEC counterparts to his inauguration for a second term in 2019.
Mazumdar said that India's focus within the BIMSTEC grouping is on institutional and capacity building, strengthening security, including maritime and cyber security, climate security (including disaster preparedness), food security, and increased connectivity, which encompasses energy, transport, digital, and people-to-people ties.
"The BIMSTEC region is prone to extreme weather events and natural disasters. Its relevance is evident today in the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Collaboration in disaster management through Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises has been a priority area for India," Mazumdar explained.
"Energy security and energy connectivity for the region are also a priority," the Indian diplomat said.
At this year's Summit, Thailand will hand over the presidency of the grouping to Bangladesh.