BIMSTEC to Set Course for Peaceful Bay of Bengal Region: PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi, August 29: Ahead of his visit to Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the fourth edition of BIMSTEC summit, slated to be held in Kathmandu, would chart the course for a prosperous and peaceful Bay of Bengal region. In a departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said, "I will be in Kathmandu for a two-day visit on 30-31 August, to participate in the fourth BIMSTEC summit. My participation in the summit symbolises India's highest priority to our neighbourhood and our strong commitment to continue deepening our relationship with the extended neighbourhood in South-East Asia." He added that he would hold interactions with all the leaders attending the summit to further enrich regional cooperation. The interactions will also take place to enhance trade relations with the member countries and advance collective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous Bay of Bengal region, the Prime Minister said. Senior Officials Meeting Begins in Nepal.

Prime Minister Modi continued, "The summit theme, 'Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region' will enable us to shape a collective response to our common aspirations and challenges. I am confident that the fourth BISMTEC Summit will further consolidate the progress made thus far under BIMSTEC, and will chart the course for building a peaceful and prosperous Bay of Bengal Region."

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping of seven countries -- Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal. The Prime Minister underlined that he would get the opportunity to interact with the leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Prime Minister Modi further said that he is looking forward to meeting his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli to review the progress in the bilateral ties since he last visited the Himalayan nation in May. India Dedicated to Making Region Stronger, Says MoS VK Singh

He further stated, "Prime Minister Oli and I will have the honour and privilege to inaugurate the Nepal Bharat Maitri Dharmashala at the Pashupatinath temple complex." Earlier in the day, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri had said that Nepal perfectly fits in the 'neighbourhood first policy', as propagated by the Indian government in an effort to actively focus on improving and strengthening the ties with immediate neighbours.