Modi greets BIMSTEC nations on 20th anniversary

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued greetings on the 20th anniversary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

"Today is a special day- we mark the 20th anniversary of BIMSTEC. My greetings to all BIMSTEC nations," he said.

"BIMSTEC is a natural platform for regional cooperation. The commitment to peace and development connects the BIMSTEC family", Modi said.

BIMSTEC was set up on this day in 1997 and the first Summit was held in Bangkok. A BIMSTEC Outreach, in which top leaders of the member-countries including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were present, was held in western Indian state of Goa in October last year.

BIMSTEC's priority areas are cooperation in energy, connectivity, tourism and trade sectors.