Kathmandu: Nepal’s Foreign Minister has reiterated the high importance that Nepal attaches to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey recently paid an official visit to Nepal and called on the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.

According to United News of Bangladesh, their discussion focused on the progress achieved in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, including in sectors led by Nepal, such as culture, tourism, people-to-people contact forums, and poverty alleviation. Their deliberations also covered steps to strengthen regional cooperation under BIMSTEC and Nepal’s role in advancing it.

The Secretary General also called on Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganesh) and apprised him of the progress achieved in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. Their discussion focused on Nepal’s vital role in strengthening cooperation under BIMSTEC and the celebration of BIMSTEC’s 30th anniversary.

In his meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai, the Secretary General discussed Nepal’s important role in advancing regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. The Foreign Secretary reiterated Nepal’s commitment to BIMSTEC, including support for various key initiatives the organisation is pursuing to enhance regional cooperation and integration among the member states.

The Secretary General also addressed a high-level policy dialogue organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, focusing on the evolution of BIMSTEC, its vision, agenda, achievements, and ongoing initiatives to advance regional cooperation and integration. The dialogue was attended by diplomats from BIMSTEC member states, government officials, academics, policy experts, think tank representatives, researchers, and others.

During the visit, Secretary General Pandey also delivered a lecture at the Department of International Relations at Tribhuvan University and interacted with faculty members and students on BIMSTEC’s mission, agenda, and efforts to promote regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.

Secretary General Pandey also met Philomena Gnanapragasam, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, and was interviewed by Nepal Television. He shared his views on the evolving international order, the role of regional organisations such as BIMSTEC, and Nepal’s role in advancing regional cooperation and connectivity.

Nepal is one of the seven member states of BIMSTEC, which comprises countries in the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Nepal joined BIMSTEC in February 2004 and has been leading regional cooperation in culture, tourism, people-to-people contact forums, and poverty alleviation.