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Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Dec 11 (ANI): The inaugural session of the 12th ministerial meet of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations has begun in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital city of Myanmar.

The Prime Minister of Myanmar, General Thein Sein, addressed the inaugural session.

On the sidelines of the Inaugural Session of BIMSTEC, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had informal talks with General Thein Sein.Krishna said cooperation between BIMSTEC nations to counter terrorism would help in dealing with this menace as also the Convention on Counter Insurgency.India also handed over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC to Myanmar formally that it had held since 2004.

Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar, means ‘Great City of the Sun’.

BIMSTEC comprises India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Krishna also held parleys with his counterparts from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Earlier, interacting with reporters on board his aircraft to Myanmar, Krishna said all regions attach a considerable importance to the BIMSTECD deliberations.

“(I am pleased) to be heading towards Myanmar to participate in the 12th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting. We attach a considerable importance to it,” Krishna said.

He also said all countries have identified 14 areas of cooperation, which include health, energy, technology, human resource development, trade, tourism and culture.

During the summit, the seven countries are expected to finalise a regional convention and related norms to expand counter-terror cooperation and promote trade, connectivity and popular contacts in the region.

The pacts to be signed during BIMSTEC include one on creating an Energy Centre, a hub for weather and climate details, a cultural industries observatory and cultural industries, besides enhancement for cooperation against international crime. (ANI)