Bay Of Bengal Foreign Ministers Meet PM Modi To Boost Regional Cooperation

Visiting Foreign Ministers from the Bay of Bengal countries met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the final day of the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi on Friday.

In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after the meeting, it was noted that PM Modi had fruitful discussions with the group on enhancing regional cooperation across various sectors, including connectivity, energy, trade, health, agriculture, science, security, and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized the importance of BIMSTEC as a catalyst for economic and social growth.

PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to fostering a peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and safe BIMSTEC region. He highlighted BIMSTEC’s significance to India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policies and its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) unites seven South and Southeast Asian countries for comprehensive cooperation. The first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was held in Bangkok in July 2023, reflecting India’s ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity and linkages in the Bay of Bengal region.

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Attending the meeting were Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Thailand Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (current BIMSTEC chair), Bhutan Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel, Nepal Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe.

During the discussions, PM Modi also conveyed India’s full support to Thailand for the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit scheduled for September this year.

Last month, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the BJP-led NDA’s third consecutive term and expressed his anticipation of PM Modi’s visit to Thailand for the BIMSTEC Summit in September. Thavisin also mentioned his eagerness to visit India at the earliest opportunity to maximize the potential of their bilateral relations.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present at the meeting with the visiting foreign dignitaries.