Modi stresses on connectivity at BIMSTEC conference
31 Aug 2018
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Connectivity within BIMSTEC region is key to progress in the South Asia region, Prime Minister Narendra Moodi said while addressing the plenary session of the conference of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Nepal’s capital Katmandu today.
Stating that all countries of BIMSTEC seek peace and prosperity, Prime Minister Modi said that this will be possible only if there is connectivity in all forms between member states of the regional bloc. "Each of our countries seek peace, prosperity and happiness, but in today's inter-connected world, we cannot achieve this alone," PM Modi told the inaugural session of the Fourth BIMSTEC summit.
Modi also called for taking the process forward for BIMSTEC coastal shipping and motor vehicle agreements.
On the sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to have sideline meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the source said.
In Bay of Bengal region, for research on arts, culture and maritime laws we will set up Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies in Nalanda University, PM Modi said at summit..
"We are committed to expand digital connectivity in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and other countries," Modi said.
The leaders of the BIMSTEC countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina met Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu today.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and South East Asia. Its members are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.
In a statement before leaving for Nepal, Modi said he will interact with the leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand on the margins of the summit.
"I also look forward to meeting Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli and reviewing the progress we have made in our bilateral ties since my last visit to Nepal in May 2018," he said.
Modi was received by Nepal's deputy prime minister and defense minister Ishwor Pokhrel at the Kathmandu airport. All domestic and international flights were suspended for two hours ahead of his arrival. PM Modi will hold talks with his Nepali counterpart Oli. Their talk will focus on the progress made following their 2017 visits to each other's countries.
Modi and his Nepali counterpart Oli will inaugurate the Nepal Bharat Maitri Dharmashala at the Pashupatinath temple complex.
BIMSTEC came into existence on 6 June 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration. It comprises seven countries lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The group brings together 1.5 billion people, or 21 per cent of the world's population, and has a combined GDP of $2.5 trillion.
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