Bangladesh-India discuss BIMSTEC issues
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has been expecting enhanced connectivity including grid connectivity among the member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to garner the maximum leverage out of this regional organisation.
Foreign Ministry on Thursday said when Bangladesh is focusing on the trade and business issues through BIMSTEC, India is concentrating on the security issues, such as extradition, money laundering and drug trafficking.
With these matters in mind, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud Bin Momen held discussions on BIMSTEC issues with Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Saurabh Kumar on Thursday at the state guest house, Padma.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma was also present during the meeting.
Foreign Secretary Momen noted that as a founding member of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh is committed to deepening relations with the member states of BIMSTEC in all aspects and moving forward in materializing the objectives of this regional organisation.
He also noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an ardent proponent of the BIMSTEC process, which is manifested in hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening the BIMSTEC Secretariat by all possible means.
Secretary (East) of MEA thanked the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh for receiving him and generous hospitality extended to the Indian delegation by the Government of Bangladesh. He expressed India’s willingness to work together with Bangladesh to make BIMSTEC a most effective and dynamic organisation.
Both sides agreed to intensify their efforts in achieving tangible progress in the field of trade and investment, connectivity, energy security, and climate change for ensuring shared peace and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region.
Both sides also discussed the ways and means of moving forward the BIMSTEC Process and make it a vibrant and successful organisation as 25 years have passed.
During the weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry said the main purpose of his visit was to hold discussions on matters related to BIMSTEC.
On July 17, the ‘BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat’ will be held in Thailand, and later this year, around November 30, the BIMSTEC Summit will be organised, where Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of BIMSTEC and India the chair of the Secretary General.
Saurabh Kumar’s visit is a part of the preparations and discussions leading up to these events, Foreign Ministry said.
