India Hosts BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra | 19 Mar 2026

Why in News? 

India hosted the BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra in March 2026 to promote regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and exposure to India’s innovation ecosystem. 

Key Points: 

• Organising Authority: The programme was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra.  
  • The programme was conducted in Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. 
  • Around 30 young professionals, including innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology experts from BIMSTEC countries, participated.  
• Objective: To promote knowledge exchange, regional cooperation, and collaboration among emerging leaders of the Bay of Bengal region.  
  • Exposure to India’s innovation, start-up, research, and technology ecosystems. 
• Outcome: The initiative enabled participants to understand India’s development model and explore opportunities for partnerships and collaboration.  
• First Edition: It was the first BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme, institutionalising youth-led regional cooperation. 
• BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) connects South and Southeast Asia, comprising 7 member countries. 
• Significance: Strengthens people-to-people ties, innovation networks, and regional integration among BIMSTEC nations.