Home Minister Sudan Gurung will travel to India on October 12 to participate in the BIMSTEC conference in New Delhi.
As per Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Gurung will represent the country at the gathering of home ministers from the seven founding member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
The BIMSTEC member states include Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting aims to address mutual interests, regional security, and cooperation among the member nations.
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting
This New Delhi meeting will be the inaugural gathering of BIMSTEC home ministers since the regional group was formed in 1997.
Security cooperation is a key focus of the BIMSTEC agenda, with member countries striving to improve coordination among their law enforcement, intelligence, and security agencies. Discussions have centered on combating terrorism, transnational crime, and other emerging security issues.
The ministerial meeting will follow talks among senior officials from the home and interior ministries of BIMSTEC countries.
Gurung Expected to Hold Bilateral Talks
During his visit, Gurung is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions with counterparts from other BIMSTEC nations.
Nepali officials suggest that a meeting with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah may occur alongside the BIMSTEC conference. These discussions could provide a platform to address bilateral security cooperation and other shared concerns.
This trip marks Gurung’s first international journey since becoming home minister, as noted by officials.
The visit aligns with BIMSTEC members’ efforts to strengthen regional coordination on security and cross-border challenges through enhanced cooperation among their governmental agencies.