BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey. File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 11, 2025 (BSS) – The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are not in any conflict, as countries can participate in multiple regional platforms simultaneously, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey said here today.

“Several countries are members of both SAARC and BIMSTEC, and some are also part of ASEAN. There is no contradiction in being involved in multiple regional groupings,” he said.  

Pandey made the remark responding to a question at a briefing with the members of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Gulshan in the capital. 

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions over the functionality of SAARC, which has been largely inactive due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. 

The secretary general also emphasized that both organizations serve distinct yet complementary roles in regional cooperation. 

Pandey further highlighted that BIMSTEC, which connects South Asia with Southeast Asia, is focused on economic and technical cooperation, while SAARC has historically concentrated on broader regional collaboration among South Asian nations.

Providing an update on the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit, he announced that it will be held on April 4 in Thailand, with heads of the governments from member states expected to attend. 

He noted that while formal discussions will take place during the summit, bilateral meetings between the heads of governments on the sidelines will be arranged through mutual consultations between the respective countries.

Pandey also acknowledged Bangladesh’s pivotal role as a founding member of BIMSTEC and its efforts to strengthen the organization. 

He expressed appreciation for the interim government’s continued cooperation and support in advancing BIMSTEC’s regional agenda. 

“We respect Bangladesh’s political transition and welcome the ongoing engagement with BIMSTEC,” he added.

BIMSTEC, established in 1997, currently consists of seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. 

It aims to foster regional integration through economic collaboration, infrastructure development, and trade facilitation.

DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, General Secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun, and other members were present at the event.