PM Modi addresses the inaugural session of the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 30, 2018. (PI... Read More

KATHMANDU/NEW DELHI: Participating in the 4th Bimstec summit , PM Narendra Modi on Thursday called for enhanced regional connectivity in a peaceful and safe environment, saying India is committed to working with the Bimstec south and southeast Asian member-states in these critical areas.

Looking to make a common cause with other Bimstec leaders, Modi said every member-state had suffered from the menace of terrorism and related trans-national crimes including drug trafficking.

A more substantive statement on terrorism is expected in the final Declaration which will be released on Friday.

“I believe that there is a big opportunity for connectivity - trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of the 4th Bimstec summit.

Bimstec is a regional grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. The grouping accounts for 22 per cent of the global population, and has a combined gross domestic product of USD 2.8 trillion.

“India is committed to work with the Bimstec member-states to enhance regional connectivity,” PM Modi said. Modi said the Bay of Bengal region had become a meeting point for India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies. “The Bay of Bengal holds special significance for the security and development of all of us,” he said.

Modi said India is ready to host a conference under Bimstec framework on narcotics-related topics. “This is not a law and order problem of one country. We must unite to tackle these problems,” he said. Modi offered to hold Bimstec Youth Summit and form a Bimstec Women Parliamentarians’ Forum.

The Bimstec member states situated between the Himalayas and Bay of Bengal face frequent natural disasters such as flood, cyclone and earthquake, Modi said as he called for “cooperation and coordination” among them in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

“We need to work together in the areas of trade, economic, transport, digital and people-to-people connectivity for our common benefit,” he said.

Modi said India’s northeastern states would play a key role in enhancing connectivity with the Bimstec countries.

Noting that science and technology interventions in the north-eastern region is an initiative for the development of the region, he said it could be extended to Bimstec nations.



In Video: BIMSTEC 2018: PM Modi calls for regional connectivity