It is easy for us scholars to meet and discuss when conditions are favourable, such as when summits are held regularly, when governments cooperate, and when there is political will to promote regional collaboration in the Bay of Bengal. We have experienced such good periods since the 1990s, notably in the early 2000s and more recently, after 2016. There was a sense of optimism about regionalism and some advancement, particularly regarding BIMSTEC, which saw the establishment of a new Secretariat in Dhaka, a new organisational charter, a consolidation of sectoral areas, and more frequent engagements over the last ten years.