PM invites BIMSTEC leaders to attend Sagarmatha Summit

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli addressing the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Bangkok Saturday reiterated Nepal’s commitments to the BIMSTEC Charter. During the address he highlighted multi-pronged regional and global challenges compounded by climate change, economic disparities and geopolitical fluidity; and stressed deeper regional collaboration to resolve these challenges. “The global order is being redefined. At this defining moment, BIMSTEC must not only navigate the changing tides but also seize the opportunity to reinvigorate our regional cooperation,” he said.

While underscoring the relevance of the theme of the Summit ‘Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC’, he emphasized that “These three pillars not only align with the Sustainable Development Goals, but also resonate deeply with Nepal’s national aspiration of Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”

Underscoring the salience of the Himalayas as global heat sinks and existential threats to humanity posed by climate crisis, the Prime Minister invited participating BIMSTEC leaders to attend the inaugural “Sagarmatha Sambaad” being held in Kathmandu next month and contribute to its success.

The Summit adopted BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) Report, Rules of Procedures of BIMSTEC Mechanisms, Joint Statement on the Impact of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand and Summit Declaration. The Chairship of the BIMSTEC has been handed over to Bangladesh.

During a bilateral Meeting with His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on the margins of the Summit in the afternoon, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. Oli held meaningful discussions on various aspects of multi-faceted Nepal-India relations and cooperation in an atmosphere of utmost cordiality.

Separately, Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC called on Prime Minister Oli during which discussions focused on matters related to regional cooperation initiatives and Nepal’s positive role in BIMSTEC process.

Later in the evening, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba visited the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok, received a briefing on the Embassy’s activities and also attended a Dinner hosted in honour of the visiting Nepali delegation by Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand.