Dhaka, 13 July 2024:

The 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat was successfully held in New Delhi on 11-12 July 2024. This significant event saw the participation of Foreign/External Affairs Ministers from all member states, with the exception of Nepal, which was represented by its Foreign Secretary. The Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation in this Retreat. The primary objective of the Retreat was to engage in open and candid discussions on areas of cooperation within BIMSTEC to find solutions to the regional challenges and to brainstorm new ideas and suggestions for the future direction of the organization. Given the various global and regional developments, the meeting assumed greater significance and set the stage for enhanced regional cooperation for the benefit of the people of the region.

The retreat was divided into two sessions. During the first session, the Foreign Ministers introduced several new ideas aimed at strengthening the BIMSTEC process. They discussed strategies to ensure the success of the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit and followed up on discussions from the 1st BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers meeting held in Bangkok on 16 July 2023. Among the key proposals was the establishment of Centers of Excellence in member states, focusing on Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Maritime Transport. India announced support for cancer research and treatment, while Sri Lanka proposed the inclusion of kidney disease. Additionally, India announced the issuance of e-visas for medical treatment for patients from all member states. The ministers also stressed the involvement of the private sector in trade and investment promotion and the promotion of young entrepreneurs. They emphasized the importance of connectivity and cyber-security for the region's socioeconomic development. Countering transnational crimes including trafficking of narcotics and illegal arms came up as the common priority.

In the second session, the Foreign Ministers discussed their expectations from the forthcoming Summit and emphasized the need for an action-oriented Declaration to convey a message to the region's people that the leaders are committed to strengthen regional cooperation by infusing new energy and resources.

On the sidelines of the retreat, the Hon'ble Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of India and Myanmar, discussing issues of mutual interests. During his meeting with his Indian counterpart, the Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud discussed with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar the issue of sending a technical team for the conservation and management of the Teesta River, a decision which was taken at the summit meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 22 June. The Foreign Minister also urged Mr. Jaishankar to ensure a smooth supply of essential commodities.

During his meeting with his Myanmar counterpart, the HFM emphasized on the early repatriation of the over 1.2 million forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals. Myanmar's Foreign Minister announced readiness to resume the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

On the second day, the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers called on the Prime Minister of India.

During the discussions, the Hon'ble Foreign Minister highlighted effective cooperation in trade and investment promotion, disaster management, food and energy security, climate change, public health, connectivity, and the blue economy. He urged member states to follow Bangladesh's example of banning fishing during the breeding season to address the depletion of fish population in the Bay of Bengal.

The retreat reinforced the commitment of BIMSTEC member states to foster stronger and more meaningful regional cooperation and realize the shared vision of the people and leadership of the region. As the region looks forward to the forthcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit, the outcome of the retreat are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of BIMSTEC.