Deeper BIMSTEC cooperation essential to Accelerate Economic Transformation: Foreign Minister Khanal

Kathmandu- Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shishir Khanal, has reaffirmed Nepal’s strong commitment to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), describing it as a vital regional platform for promoting peace, prosperity, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.

During a courtesy meeting with BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Minister Khanal stressed the need for deeper, more effective, and result-oriented cooperation among member states to accelerate economic transformation and address shared regional challenges.

He emphasized that BIMSTEC should continue evolving into a more effective, people-centered, and results-driven regional organization capable of delivering tangible benefits to the citizens of its member countries.

Minister Khanal welcomed the ongoing efforts to strengthen the institution, including the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter. He also reiterated Nepal’s commitment, as the lead country for the People-to-People Contact sector, to enhancing regional ties through tourism, cultural exchanges, and greater interaction among citizens. He further affirmed Nepal’s continued support for advancing BIMSTEC’s shared objectives and contributing to a stronger, more prosperous, and better-connected Bay of Bengal region.

During the meeting, Secretary General Pandey briefed the Foreign Minister on recent progress in strengthening BIMSTEC as a more effective, action-oriented, and results-focused regional organization. He highlighted ongoing institutional reforms, the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter and Vision Document, and key priority initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation.

Secretary General Pandey also commended Nepal’s active participation and constructive contributions to BIMSTEC, expressing confidence that Nepal would continue to support the organization’s common goals in the years ahead.

The two sides also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and the BIMSTEC Secretariat, enhance people-centered and results-oriented regional collaboration, and ensure that the organization’s initiatives deliver meaningful benefits to the citizens of member states.

Nepal has been a member of BIMSTEC since 2004. Established to promote multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia, BIMSTEC comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.