Myanmar has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), as BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey concluded a three-day official visit to the country aimed at deepening collaboration across security, agriculture and economic sectors.

During his visit from June 22 to 24, Pandey held a series of high-level meetings with Myanmar's top leadership, including President U Min Aung Hlaing, who reiterated the country's enduring commitment to advancing regional cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework.

According to a statement, the president underscored BIMSTEC's non-political character and expressed Myanmar's determination to play a more active role in ensuring the grouping's continued success. Daily Sun reported that Myanmar also reaffirmed its intention to strengthen cooperation in key sectors where it serves as the lead country, particularly agriculture, food security, fisheries and livestock.

Pandey also met Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe, with discussions centring on expanding regional cooperation and Myanmar's leadership in agriculture and allied sectors. The minister reaffirmed the importance Myanmar attaches to BIMSTEC as a platform for promoting regional integration and sustainable development.

Regional security featured prominently during separate meetings with Home Affairs Minister Lt Gen Nyunt Win Swe and National Security Adviser U Tin Aung San. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to address transnational crimes, terrorism and other emerging security challenges facing BIMSTEC member states.

The two sides also reviewed preparations for the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisors' Meeting, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 16 July 2026, and highlighted Myanmar's strategic role in safeguarding security across the Bay of Bengal region, including maritime, food, climate and energy security.

During talks with Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Minister U Min Naung, the secretary general discussed the implementation of decisions adopted at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held in Kathmandu in April 2025, while exploring ways to further strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food systems.

As part of the visit, Pandey attended a dinner hosted by Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also met U Thant Kyaw, chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS), where they exchanged views on enhancing regional collaboration through the BIMSTEC framework.

Myanmar, one of BIMSTEC's seven founding members since joining the grouping in December 1997, currently leads cooperation in agriculture and food security, as well as fisheries and livestock.

BIMSTEC brings together seven Bay of Bengal nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand with the objective of promoting regional connectivity, economic integration and cooperation across multiple sectors.

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