Staff reporter :
The Secretary General of BIMSTEC, Indra Mani Pandey, has clarified that the organisation does not have conflicting interests with SAARC, emphasising that countries can participate in multiple regional platforms to pursue their shared goals.
Speaking at a briefing with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), held at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, Pandey noted that many nations are members of both SAARC and BIMSTEC, with some also part of ASEAN.
He asserted that engaging in multiple forums does not pose any contradiction.
Pandey’s remarks come amidst discussions about SAARC’s dormancy, largely due to tensions between India and Pakistan.
He highlighted the complementary roles of SAARC and BIMSTEC, with the former focusing on broader South Asian cooperation, while BIMSTEC connects South Asia with Southeast Asia through economic and technical collaboration.
Providing updates on the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit, Pandey announced it will take place on 4th April in Thailand, with heads of government from all member states expected to attend.
He mentioned that bilateral meetings between leaders could also be arranged through mutual agreement.
Pandey praised Bangladesh, a founding member of BIMSTEC, for its efforts in strengthening the organisation and acknowledged the interim government’s active support during its political transition.
Established in 1997, BIMSTEC comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, focusing on regional integration through economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and trade facilitation.
The summit may offer a significant diplomatic opportunity as both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, are expected to attend.
Diplomatic sources indicate a potential bilateral meeting between the two leaders, which would mark a crucial step in improving Dhaka-Delhi relations, strained since the Awami League’s ousting in August of the previous year.
Efforts to arrange a meeting between Yunus and Modi at the UN General Assembly did not materialise, but the BIMSTEC Summit provides a fresh opportunity for dialogue. While no official confirmation of a bilateral meeting has been made, diplomatic optimism remains high.
Pandey reiterated that any such bilateral meetings would be organised based on mutual consultations. He also restated BIMSTEC’s focus on fostering regional cooperation, highlighting that Bangladesh continues to play a vital role in advancing the organisation’s initiatives.
The briefing, attended by DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, General Secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun, and other members, underscored BIMSTEC’s importance in regional integration and its capacity to complement other organisations like SAARC and ASEAN.
