State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has called on BIMSTEC member states to look past bilateral tensions and strengthen regional cooperation through mutual trust and shared purpose.
Speaking at a reception in Dhaka marking BIMSTEC Secretariat Establishment Day, Humaiun Kobir said the grouping's success depends on widening engagement rather than dwelling on disputes. The event was hosted by BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey and attended by diplomats, business leaders and journalists.
State Minister said Bangladesh will work with member states and the Secretariat to prepare for the next BIMSTEC Summit, expected to be held in Dhaka in 2027. He described the Bay of Bengal as a historic link between South and Southeast Asia, and said BIMSTEC gives that connection modern institutional form.
The seven-nation bloc Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand represents major economic and human potential, he said also adding that shared challenges like climate change, cyber threats and supply chain disruptions require regional, not isolated responses.
As BIMSTEC chair Bangladesh is focused on trade, investment and the blue economy Humaiun Kobir said, citing fisheries, shipping and marine tourism as key growth areas. He also stressed the need for progress on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area and stronger cooperation on security issues with counterterrorism and human trafficking.
State Minister added that people-to-people ties through tourism, education and youth exchange are essential to making BIMSTEC "a living regional community" not just a diplomatic process.
