EAM S Jaishankar receives his colleagues for BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will receive his colleagues for the 2nd Retreat of BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers in New Delhi on July 11 and 12.
The retreat provides an opportunity for Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss ways to broaden and deepen cooperation. cooperation in various sectors including security, connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contacts, etc., in the Bay of Bengal region and coastal area, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The retreat provides an opportunity for the Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss in an informal setting opportunities to broaden and deepen cooperation in various areas including security, connectivity, trade and investment, people-to-people contacts, etc. in the region and the Bay of Bengal littoral.”
The first edition of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 17 July 2023. BIMSTEC comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The Ministry of External Affairs noted: “The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation (BIMSTEC) brings together seven countries in South and Southeast Asia for multi-faceted cooperation.”
Bhutanese Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel and Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said Dhungyel’s visit will further strengthen the close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.
In a post on X, Jaiswal said, “Warm welcome to @FMBhutan DN Dhungyel as he arrives in New Delhi for the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. The visit will further strengthen the close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan and promote regional collaboration.”
Sharing details about the visit of Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister, Jaiswal wrote in a post on X: “Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe warmly welcomed in New Delhi for the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. Productive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation for a prosperous, connected and secure Bay of Bengal region lie ahead.”
For India, the regional BIMSTEC forum serves as a convergence of the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, or ‘Act East’ perspective, and Indian Ocean interests.
Earlier in June, EAM Jaishankar extended his wishes for BIMSTEC Day and reiterated India’s commitment to shared prosperity through a resilient and open BIMSTEC region.
Jaishankar said at X: “Warmest wishes on BIMSTEC Day! India reiterates its commitment to achieving shared prosperity through a resilient and open BIMSTEC region. May our age-old ties grow even stronger.”