New Delhi: To explore ways to enhance connectivity, transport, trade, tourism among the countries of the Bay of Bengal region, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has left for Myanmar to attend the BIMSTEC Summit. In what could be his last foreign trip as PM, Dr Singh batted for India’s healthy bilateral relations with BIMSTEC countries.
Leaders from seven countries – India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal – will review Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.
The leaders will sign pacts on setting up of BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate in India and Cultural Industries Observatory in Bhutan besides establishment of the permanent secretariat in Dhaka for which India has pledged contribution of 32% of annual expenditure incurred there.
The summit will be preceded by ministerial meeting which will be attended by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and at the senior official level by the Foreign Secretary.
Â