Foreign Affairs: 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi

At the official invitation of Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Dr. S. Jaishankar, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe participated in the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat which was held on the 11th of July in New Delhi.

During the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, the Foreign Ministers cordially discussed and exchanged views on matters related to BIMSTEC Cooperation mechanisms and regional and global issues.

Their discussions focused on strengthening connectivity among the BIMSTEC Member States, cooperation in trade and business, health, capacity building and collaboration in digital public infrastructure (DPI) including cross-border digital payment systems. The Foreign Ministers also highlighted the importance of Food and Energy Security at the Retreat.

Furthermore, they deliberated on the works of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC and holding of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meetings.

During the Retreat, the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs also updated the Myanmar Government’s efforts to ensure peace, development and democracy in the country and the latest developments in Myanmar.

In his discussion, the Union Minister encouraged other Member States to further enhance cooperation in combating illegal drug trafficking and arms trade, human trafficking and online scamming.

In the evening, the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar hosted a dinner in honor of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and delegations of BIMSTEC Member States at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization established in 1997 and it comprises seven Member States namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The main aim of BIMSTEC is to promote economic cooperation among the Member States of the Bay of Bengal region. Out of current seven Sectors of BIMSTEC Cooperation, Myanmar is serving as the Lead Country in “Agriculture and Food Security Sector”.