Krishna arrives in Myanmar to participate in BIMSTEC meet

Sagar Kulkarni
Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Dec 10 (PTI) External Affairs
Minister of India S M Krishna arrived here Thursday to attend
the meeting of the seven-nation BIMSTEC that will focus on
jointly combating terrorism and promoting free trade.
"We have already identified 14 areas of cooperation
which include health, energy, technology, human resource
development, trade, tourism and culture," Krishna told
reporters accompanying him to Myanmar.
At the 12th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi Sectoral, Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) at the new Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi
Taw, Krishna will hand over the Chairmanship of the group to
Myanmar. India has been the chair since 2004.
The ministers of seven countries are expected to finalise
regional convention to expand counter-terror cooperation and
promote trade, connectivity and popular contacts in the
region.
BIMSTEC comprises India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
"BIMSTEC is a bridge between South Asia and South East
Asia," Krishna said.
Four pacts related to the establishment of BIMSTEC
Energy Centre, centre for weather and climate, cultural
industries observatory and cultural industries, as well as
cooperation against international crime are expected to
be signed. (
Krishna is also expected to meet his counterparts from
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal on the sidelines of
the ministerial meeting.
"I am looking forward to my meetings with my counterparts
from BIMSTEC member nations. We attach highest importance to
BIMSTEC and the Look East Policy," he said. "I hope this
meeting is going to bring us all further closer to each
other," he said.
India had hosted the BIMSTEC meet in November last
year. PTI SKU
DDC