FM Khanal stresses result-oriented cooperation among BIMSTEC members

Kathmandu, July 28

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has stressed the need for deeper, more effective and results-oriented cooperation across all areas of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to accelerate the economic transformation of member states and address shared regional challenges.

During a courtesy meeting with BIMSTEC Secretary-General Indra Mani Pandey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday, he reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to the (BIMSTEC), describing it as an important regional platform for promoting regional cooperation, peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

The MoFA informed in a statement that he also highlighted the importance of developing BIMSTEC into a more effective, results-oriented and people-centred regional organisation capable of delivering tangible benefits that can be directly experienced by the citizens of member states.

Likewise, FM Khanal welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen the organisation institutionally, including the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter. He reiterated Nepal's commitment, as the lead country for the People-to-People Contact sector, to strengthening regional ties through tourism, culture and greater exchanges among the peoples of member states.

The Foreign Minister also expressed Nepal's continued support for advancing BIMSTEC's shared objectives and contributing to the development of the Bay of Bengal region as a stronger, more prosperous and better-connected region.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Pandey briefed FM Khanal on recent progress and ongoing efforts to strengthen BIMSTEC as an effective, results-oriented and action-oriented regional organisation. He outlined developments in institutional reforms, the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter and the BIMSTEC Vision Document, as well as priority initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation.

"Pandey commended Nepal's active participation and constructive contribution to BIMSTEC activities and expressed confidence that Nepal would continue to support the organisation in achieving its shared objectives," read the statement.

The meeting also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and the BIMSTEC Secretariat, make regional cooperation more results-oriented and people-centred, and ensure that the organisation's activities deliver direct benefits to the citizens of member states.

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

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 July 2026.