BIMSTEC finalises charter to be signed at next summit

Bangladesh and other BIMSTEC countries have finalised the text of its charter, a master plan for transport connectivity, and a Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters to be signed at the fifth summit of the group expected to be held in Sri Lanka soon.

This was stated by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today while virtually addressing the 17th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting.

He said India hopes BIMSTEC member countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand -- will complete their internal procedures for the adoption of the charter at the next Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit.

Pointing out that robust connectivity is an essential prerequisite for economic integration of the BIMSTEC region and smooth cross-border movement of people and goods, Jaishankar said the member countries have finalised the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity which is expected to be adopted at the fifth Summit.

"It would be an important step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of our region for better connectivity and integration," he added.

Jaishankar said the BIMSTEC countries also need to put in place a legal framework for smooth connectivity in the region by finalising a coastal shipping agreement and the motor vehicles agreement at an early date.

He said BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters has been finalised for signing at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit, which will help provide a robust legal basis to further strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking

According to Jaishankar, Sri Lanka plans to hold the fifth BIMSTEC Summit soon, which will take "important decisions to make the organization more focused and also more result-oriented".

Decisions on finalisation of the template of Memorandum of Agreement on establishment of BIMSTEC centres/entities, the organogram of the Secretariat and procurement procedures of the Secretariat are important steps in that direction, he said.