By Ravi Shankar

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Dec 10. (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna arrived in the capital of Myanmar on Thursday evening to attend the 12th ministerial meeting of the seven-nation Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) that will focus on jointly combating terror and promoting free trade.

Nay Pyi Taw is the new capital of Myanmar and means “Great City of the Sun”.

Addressing journalists accompanying him on board, the S.M.Krishna said: “We have already identified 14 areas of cooperation which include health, energy, technology, human resource development, trade, tourism and culture.”

At the 12th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Krishna is scheduled to hand over the Chairmanship of the group to Myanmar which India has held since 2004.

“I am looking forward to my meetings with my counterparts from BIMSTEC member nations. We attach highest importance to BIMSTEC and the Look East Policy,” Krishna said.

“I hope this meeting is going to bring us all further closer to each other,” Krishna added.

During the meeting, the ministers of seven countries are expected to finalise regional convention to expand counter-terror cooperation and promote trade, connectivity and popular contacts in the region. BIMSTEC comprises India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

“BIMSTEC is a bridge between South Asia and South East Asia,” Krishna said.

About four pacts related to the establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Centre, centre for weather and climate, cultural industries observatory and cultural industries, as well as cooperation against international crime are likely to be signed.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Indian External Affairs minister S.M. Krishna is also expected to meet his counterparts from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. (ANI)