The working session of the 15th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, BIMSTEC, Ministerial meeting has begun at Kathmandu today. Free Trade Agreement, Investment, Energy, Tourism, Poverty alleviation and Counter-terrorism are the key areas expected to be focused in the meeting.
In his inaugural address yesterday Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba said that as BIMSTEC mark twentieth anniversary this occasion should be turning point in the history of the group. He also said that members should pledge that by end of 2017 all existing key instruments of regional cooperation framework become fully functional. He called for commencing delivery of results and outcomes from next year onward. A joint statement will also be issued after the meeting.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is representing India in the meeting. After working session she will have bilateral meetings with Bhutanese and Sri Lankan ministers. Various issues are likely to be discussed in the meeting. She will also attend a special programme “India@70” organised by Indian Embassy to mark 70 years of Independence.