BIMSTEC meet nods transport co-op deal

Staff Reporter :

In a major step toward strengthening regional connectivity, BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers on Thursday signed the agreement on “BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation” at the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain reaffirmed the country’s commitment to collective peace, progress, and prosperity under a shared BIMSTEC vision.

He emphasised the need for tangible, result-oriented cooperation, particularly through the effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost intra-regional trade.

Hossain also raised the issue of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh, urging the creation of a conducive environment in Myanmar for their safe and dignified repatriation.

The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers finalised the draft provisional agenda for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and the draft Summit Declaration, which will be considered at the Summit on Friday.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet BIMSTEC leaders on the sidelines of the Summit, focusing on strengthening regional collaboration.

The Ministers also agreed to hold the 21st BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka, further reinforcing Bangladesh’s leadership role in the regional forum.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the report of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.