Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud Arrives in Delhi for BIMSTEC Retreat

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to participate in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, welcomed him, stating, “The presence of FM Mahmud will enrich the discussions to be held today and bolster regional cooperation.”

Earlier today, Tharaka Balasuriya, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, also arrived in the national capital to attend the retreat. Other notable attendees include Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi on July 11-12. The retreat will provide an opportunity for the Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC nations to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including security, connectivity, trade and investment, and people-to-people contacts in the Bay of Bengal region.

The first edition of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 17, 2023. BIMSTEC is a regional organization that connects countries around the Bay of Bengal to promote economic growth, trade, and cooperation in areas like transportation, energy, and counter-terrorism. Its member states include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.