The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the event. Artists from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand performed at the musical evening. Organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the festival called 'SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody', witnessed the celebration of the distinct musical traditions of the seven BIMSTEC countries.
This inaugural edition marked a significant cultural milestone in BIMSTEC cooperation. The genesis of this cultural initiative can be traced to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affirmation at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand in April 2025 of India's commitment to strengthening regional cultural ties through music by hosting the first BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in India.