BIMSTEC: Narendra Modi meets KP Sharma Oli, says New Delhi attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal

Modi met Oli at the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

After the meeting, Modi said he had a 'productive' meeting with his Nepali counterpart.

"Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok. India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal," Modi wrote on X after the meeting.

"We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology," he said.

Modi discussed the positive outcomes of the BIMSTEC Summit, which ranged from maritime transport to disaster management, with Oli.

BIMSTEC 21-Action Plan

Narendra Modi, on Friday, proposed a 21-point Action Plan covering different aspects of cooperation among the BIMSTEC nations at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok City.

He remarked to boost business across BIMSTEC nations and harness the rich potential of the IT sector.

He also urged the need to work together in the field of disaster management in the wake of the recent earthquake affecting Myanmar and Thailand.

Modi emphasised working in the world of space and strengthening the security apparatus.

Urging to collectively energise BIMSTEC and underlining the role of  youth who will take the lead, he expressed hope that the cultural linkages will further bring the BIMSTEC nations closer.

Participating in the summit,  6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted by Thailand, the current chair,  Modi underlined that the Group had become an impactful platform for regional cooperation, coordination and progress. In this regard, he called for further strengthening the agenda and capacity of BIMSTEC.

India Intiatives

Prime Minister Modi announced several India-led initiatives towards institution and capacity building in BIMSTEC.

"These include setting up of BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India on Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Research and Training in Agriculture. He also announced a new programme for skilling the youth – BODHI [BIMSTEC for Organized Development of Human Resource Infrastructure] under which training and scholarships would be provided to professionals, students, researchers, diplomats and others," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

He also offered a pilot study by India to assess regional needs in Digital Public Infrastructure and a capacity-building programme for cancer care in the region.

Calling for greater regional economic integration, Modi offered to establish BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and to organize BIMSTEC Business Summit every year in India.