❖ BIMSTEC now open to new members and observers after a historic first charter of the grouping came into force. 

❖ The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation grouping has acquired a ‘legal personality’

. ❖ It will be able to enter into structured diplomatic dialogue with other groupings and countries.

❖ BIMSTEC was formed in 1997 but for a long time, the organization could not form consensus among its seven member states.

❖ The members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar and India.