EAM Jaishankar chairs informal BIMSTEC foreign ministers meeting in New York
- In Reports
- 09:26 PM, Sep 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the US, chaired an informal Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in New York on September 27. The meeting aimed to prepare for the upcoming BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit.
S. Jaishankar has reiterated India's commitment to deeper engagement with the seven-nation BIMSTEC grouping, aligning with the country's Neighbourhood First and Act East policies.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "We assessed our strong cooperation in areas such as health, food security, trade, investment, economy, and energy. We focused on enhancing physical, maritime, and digital connectivity across the region and explored opportunities for capacity building, skill development, and strengthening people-to-people ties."
He remarked, "The establishment of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence reflects our collective commitment. India reaffirms its dedication to deeper engagement with BIMSTEC, in line with our Neighbourhood First, Vision SAGAR, and Act East policies."
Under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, India is dedicated to fostering friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all neighbouring countries. India has also enhanced maritime cooperation with regional partners, aligning with its vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The Act East Policy aims to strengthen economic, cultural, and strategic ties with nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The BIMSTEC member countries include India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, Jaishankar co-chaired a meeting of the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers alongside Dominica's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vince Henderson.
CARICOM, or the Caribbean Community, consists of 15 member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are Associate Members of the Community.
"A productive meeting of the India-CARICOM Foreign Ministers today, co-chaired with FM @v_henderson1 of Dominica," Jaishankar posted on X. "We discussed ways to enhance our partnership and strengthen cooperation in health, IT, FinTech, capacity building, renewables, and food security. Our ties with CARICOM are rooted in past experiences, address current needs, and aim for a brighter future." Additionally, he co-chaired the India-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his counterpart from Honduras, Enrique Reina.
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 33 member countries from the region. Jaishankar noted, "Our political cooperation and enhanced economic linkages promote South-South cooperation. The agenda covered Digital Public Infrastructure, health, clean energy, and capacity building. We highlighted opportunities for greater engagement in AI, e-mobility, space, smart agriculture, and drones." He emphasised that India and CELAC share a commitment to reformed multilateralism.
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