Nepal Committed to BIMSTEC: Foreign Minister Khanal

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has reaffirmed Nepal’s strong commitment to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi‑Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), describing it as a highly significant regional platform for promoting cooperation, peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

During a courtesy call by BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Minister Khanal stressed the need for deeper, more effective, and results‑oriented collaboration across all areas of BIMSTEC cooperation to accelerate the economic transformation of member states and to address shared regional challenges more effectively.

He emphasized that BIMSTEC must evolve into a more impactful, people‑centered regional organization that delivers tangible achievements directly felt by the citizens of member countries.

Welcoming ongoing efforts to implement the BIMSTEC Charter and strengthen the organization institutionally, Minister Khanal reiterated Nepal’s commitment to play an active role as the lead country in the people‑to‑people contact sector, particularly through tourism, culture, and exchanges at the grassroots level.

He further pledged Nepal’s full cooperation and support in advancing BIMSTEC’s common objectives and in building the Bay of Bengal region into a stronger, more prosperous, and interconnected community.

Secretary General Pandey briefed the Minister on recent progress and ongoing initiatives aimed at consolidating BIMSTEC as an effective, results‑driven, and action‑oriented regional organization. He highlighted advances in institutional reforms, implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter and Vision Document, and priority initiatives designed to enhance regional cooperation.

Commending Nepal’s active participation and constructive contributions to BIMSTEC activities, Secretary General Pandey expressed confidence that Nepal’s continued support and collaboration will remain vital in achieving the organization’s shared goals.

The meeting also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and the BIMSTEC Secretariat, making regional collaboration more results‑oriented and people‑centered, and ensuring that citizens of member states derive direct benefits from BIMSTEC’s initiatives.

Nepal has been a member of BIMSTEC since 2004. Established to promote multi‑dimensional technical and economic cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.