Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs welcomed BIMSTEC Secretary General

On 24 January 2025, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had a discussion with Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) during his visit to Thailand.

Both sides discussed prepations for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, during 2 - 4 April 2025 in Bangkok, as well as key deliverables for the upcoming Summit, including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons' Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. On this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary underscored the importance of finalising the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to significantly enhance intra-regional trade among member countries. He also highlighted Thailand's commitment to advancing regional connectivity, noting Thailand's lead role in this area. BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge linking South Asia and Southeast Asia, fostering closer economic, social and cultural ties across the region.