'India advances neighbourhood first and Act East policies..,' says S Jaishankar on BIMSTEC, MCG meet
digital payment systems and trade settlements, as well as strengthening cooperation in cyber security and prevention of transnational crimes." Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai, chaired the Retreat, which saw the participation of Foreign Ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. During the Retreat, the Ministers reached a consensus to conduct such gatherings on a regular basis, preferably in the first quarter of each year.
Moreover, India extended an invitation to host the next BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2023. On July 16, the External Affairs minister had co-chaired the 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation meeting in Bangkok along with his Lao PDR counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.
In the meeting, Jaishankar prioritised the implementation of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. During the meeting, the decision was made to establish a Mekong Ganga Cooperation Business Council with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation and expanding exchanges in agriculture, science and technology, as well as water resource management.
Additionally, the participants explored new avenues for development partnership, including the implementation of Quick Impact Projects, and furthered cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism. Museum-based collaboration was also discussed as part of their joint initiatives.
The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, founded in November 2000, consists of six member countries: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The cooperation primarily focuses on areas such as tourism, culture, education,
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