ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to capture essential features of the cross-cutting issues and attempts to draw some policy implications. It describes regional documentation that includes newly available shipwreck and archaeological recoveries. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was established in 1997 to expand cooperation among Bay of Bengal countries. The book examines the meaning of culture in Bhutan; offers important lessons to other BIMSTEC countries in strengthening cultural relations. It highlights the connectivity needs and identifies detailed implementable proposals. The book discusses the dynamics of the Bay of Bengal and the Sino-India “Cooperation Dilemma”. It analyses the broad contour of Indian Ocean Rim Association-BIMSTEC relations, discusses the scope and opportunities of cooperation and presents a set of goals to enhance the inter-regional cooperation between them.
