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EAM S Jaishankar hosts the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in New Delhi
For India, BIMSTEC represents the intersection of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ outlook, the ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ vision, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.
Speaking at the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi on Thursday (July 11, 2024), he said each of these endeavours is being purposed with a specific focus on the Bay of Bengal, where collaborative potential has long remained underrealized. "Our challenge is to change that for the better, and to do so rapidly," he remarked.
He used the opportunity to highlight changes over the past one year. "The BIMSTEC Charter, for a start, has come into effect from 20 May this year. Global and regional developments also make it imperative that we find more solutions amongst ourselves," he noted.
According to EAM Jaishankar, there are longstanding goals such as capacity building and economic cooperation that have acquired a new urgency. "And not least, a grouping that is so complementary and so congenial in its membership should surely harbour higher aspirations. Our hope is that these would be expressed as shared and ambitious BIMSTEC Vision," he stated.
"We all benefited from the last such exercise in Bangkok. This one now has a particular importance as it serves to prepare strong outcomes for the Summit to be held later in the year," EAM Jaishankar pointed out. He added, "Our message should be clear – that we are all determined to infuse new energies, new resources and a new commitment into cooperation among the Bay of Bengal nations".
A press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (July 10, 2024) emphasised the significance of the gathering, stating, "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 first edition of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 17, 2023. That inaugural meeting laid the groundwork for this year’s discussions, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation among the BIMSTEC member states. The Bangkok retreat was noted for setting a precedent in fostering a cooperative environment that goes beyond formal diplomatic engagements.
Speaking at the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi on Thursday (July 11, 2024), he said each of these endeavours is being purposed with a specific focus on the Bay of Bengal, where collaborative potential has long remained underrealized. "Our challenge is to change that for the better, and to do so rapidly," he remarked.
He used the opportunity to highlight changes over the past one year. "The BIMSTEC Charter, for a start, has come into effect from 20 May this year. Global and regional developments also make it imperative that we find more solutions amongst ourselves," he noted.
According to EAM Jaishankar, there are longstanding goals such as capacity building and economic cooperation that have acquired a new urgency. "And not least, a grouping that is so complementary and so congenial in its membership should surely harbour higher aspirations. Our hope is that these would be expressed as shared and ambitious BIMSTEC Vision," he stated.
"We all benefited from the last such exercise in Bangkok. This one now has a particular importance as it serves to prepare strong outcomes for the Summit to be held later in the year," EAM Jaishankar pointed out. He added, "Our message should be clear – that we are all determined to infuse new energies, new resources and a new commitment into cooperation among the Bay of Bengal nations".
A press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (July 10, 2024) emphasised the significance of the gathering, stating, "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 first edition of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 17, 2023. That inaugural meeting laid the groundwork for this year’s discussions, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation among the BIMSTEC member states. The Bangkok retreat was noted for setting a precedent in fostering a cooperative environment that goes beyond formal diplomatic engagements.
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