EAM Jaishankar Welcomes Foreign Ministers for 2nd BIMSTEC Retreat in New Delhi

New Delhi, India – On July 11, Foreign Ministers from BIMSTEC member countries gathered in New Delhi for a two-day retreat to strengthen cooperation among Bay of Bengal countries. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed that the discussions would bring new energy, resources, and commitment to BIMSTEC cooperation.

Jaishankar welcomed his colleagues for the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. He shared on X, “Welcomed colleagues in New Delhi for the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. Today’s discussions will be helpful in infusing new energies, resources and commitment towards BIMSTEC cooperation.”

Foreign ministers and top officials from BIMSTEC nations, including Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, also arrived in Delhi to attend the retreat.

The retreat, held on July 11-12, provides an opportunity for the Foreign Ministers to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in various sectors such as security, connectivity, trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts in the Bay of Bengal region. The first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat took place in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 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. It aims to accelerate economic growth and social progress through joint efforts, supporting national development plans of member states, and improving living standards by generating employment and enhancing transportation and communication infrastructure.