Thailand FM Joins BIMSTEC Retreat in Delhi to Strengthen Regional Ties

Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa arrived in Delhi for the BIMSTEC Foreign Minister's Retreat, hosted by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Representatives from Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar are also attending. The event aims to enhance cooperation in sectors like security, trade, and connectivity among BIMSTEC nations.

Thailand Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa arrived on Thursday at Delhi Airport to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat. Leading diplomats from BIMSTEC member nations, including Nepal's Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Bhutan's Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel, and Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, also arrived in the national capital for the meeting.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the second BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in New Delhi from July 11-12. The retreat offers a platform for the ministers to explore ways to augment cooperation across multiple sectors, such as security, connectivity, trade, and public engagement within the Bay of Bengal region and its coastal areas, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The MEA released a statement, noting, "The Retreat will present an opportunity for the Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC countries to discuss, in an informal setting, avenues to broaden and deepen cooperation across various sectors including in the fields of security, connectivity, trade and investment, people to people contacts etc, in the Bay of Bengal region and littoral." The inaugural edition of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 17, 2023.

According to the MEA, "BIMSTEC brings together seven countries of South and South East Asia for multifaceted cooperation." The regional organization connects countries around the Bay of Bengal to foster economic growth, trade, and collaboration in areas such as transportation, energy, and counter-terrorism.

BIMSTEC seeks to strengthen relationships and promote economic development among its member states, which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

(With inputs from agencies.)