BIMSTEC secretary general visits Myanmar

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey undertook an official visit to Myanmar from 22 to 24 June. 

During the visit, he called on President U Min Aung Hlaing, who reiterated Myanmar’s abiding commitment to expanding regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, underlined its non-political character and expressed Myanmar’s desire to enhance its contribution to BIMSTEC’s success, read a press release.

The secretary general also called on Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe. Their discussion focused on strengthening regional cooperation under BIMSTEC and the vital role of Myanmar in expanding cooperation in agriculture and food security as well as fisheries and livestock sectors that Myanmar leads as well as other sectors on BIMSTEC’s agenda.

Foreign Minister Maung Swe reiterated the high importance Myanmar attaches to BIMSTEC.

In a separate call on Home Minister Lt Gen Nyunt Win Swe, the two sides discussed progress in regional security cooperation under BIMSTEC in dealing with the transnational security challenges faced by the member states. 

They welcomed the opportunity being offered by the forthcoming Inaugural Meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers to review and expand regional security cooperation under BIMSTEC.

In addition, Secretary General Indra Mani called on National Security Adviser and Union Minister of President Office, U Tin Aung San. 

They reviewed progress in regional security cooperation since the 4th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Advisors, which was hosted by Myanmar in July 2024 in Nay Pyi Taw, and preparations for the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Advisors, which is being hosted by India and is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 16 July 2026. 

They underlined Myanmar’s vital role in regional security in the Bay of Bengal region, including in combating organised crime and terrorism as well as in ensuring maritime, food, climate, and energy security.

The secretary general called on Union Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, U Min Naung. Their discussion focused on advancing regional cooperation in agriculture and food security as well as fisheries and livestock sectors, including implementation of the decisions made at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting, held in April 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal, and the ways to further strengthen regional cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors under BIMSTEC.

Indra Mani attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The secretary general also met with chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS), U Thant Kyaw, and the two sides exchanged views on further strengthening regional cooperation under BIMSTEC framework.

Myanmar is one of the seven member states of BIMSTEC and leads regional cooperation in agriculture and food security as well as fisheries and livestock sectors. Myanmar joined as a member of the BIMSTEC in December 1997, according to the release.

BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.