Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung Set to Attend Key BIMSTEC Meeting in India

Nepal's Minister Heads to India for BIMSTEC Meeting

Kathmandu: Sudan Gurung, the Home Minister of Nepal, is set to travel to India next week for the inaugural meeting of the home ministers from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which is scheduled for October 13, according to a senior official.

This trip marks Gurung's first international visit since he took office following the establishment of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government on March 27.

The upcoming meeting will convene home ministers from the seven member countries: Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

"Home Minister Gurung will arrive in New Delhi on October 12 to attend the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting," stated Ananda Kafle, spokesperson for the Home Ministry.

The agenda for the meeting is anticipated to address various security challenges, including cross-border crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking among the member nations, Kafle added.

However, the specifics of the minister's schedule, including potential discussions with Indian officials, are still being finalized.

Gurung is also likely to engage in bilateral talks with his counterparts, including Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, as per Nepali officials. "There may also be an opportunity to meet with the Nepali community in India," he noted.

This visit is significant as BIMSTEC members aim to enhance regional collaboration on security issues and build upon previous discussions among senior security and home officials.

Security cooperation is a vital aspect of BIMSTEC's agenda, encompassing three key areas: counterterrorism, transnational crime, energy, and disaster management, as outlined on the BIMSTEC website.

During the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu on August 30-31, 2018, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolster cooperation among law enforcement, intelligence, and security agencies, leading to the decision to hold meetings at the home ministers' level.

They also agreed to continue the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' meetings to foster collaboration on counterterrorism and transnational crime.

Kafle mentioned that the ministerial meeting will be preceded by a gathering of BIMSTEC home secretaries to prepare agreements to be announced after the ministerial discussions.

Earlier this year, the 5th Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs took place in New Delhi, where National Security Advisers and delegation heads discussed various strategies to combat terrorism and organized crime, ensure security in cyber, maritime, and energy sectors, improve connectivity, facilitate effective disaster management, and address emerging security threats.

The meeting resulted in the adoption of the BIMSTEC Guidelines for the Maritime Component of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, which will aid member states in conducting relief operations swiftly.

Additionally, a set of Guiding Principles on the Conduct of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies during Interactions at Sea was endorsed, aimed at enhancing predictability and safety during maritime operations among member countries.