India pitches for infusing new energy into BIMSTEC grouping

New Delhi, July 11

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India on Thursday called on the seven-nation BIMSTEC grouping to infuse new energy, resources and a fresh commitment to bolster cooperation among the Bay of Bengal countries.

What it represents

For India, BIMSTEC represents the intersection of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ outlook, the ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ vision. — S Jaishankar, External affairs minister

The appeal was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while hosting his counterparts from the BIMSTEC member states at a two-day retreat here.

The first day’s deliberations covered connectivity, cooperation in trade and business, collaboration in health and space, digital public infrastructure and capacity building and societal exchanges.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), brings together seven countries of South and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation.

Besides India, the BIMSTEC comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said BIMSTEC should harbour higher aspirations. “For India, BIMSTEC represents the intersection of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ outlook, the ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ vision,” he said.

“Each of these endeavours is being purposed with a specific focus on the Bay of Bengal, where collaborative potential has long remained under-realised… Our challenge is to change that for the better, and to do so rapidly,” he added.

“Our message should be clear that we are all determined to infuse new energy, new resources and a new commitment into cooperation among the Bay of Bengal nations,” he said. .