BIMSTEC & SAARC Have No Conflicts: Secretary General

Pandey, speaking at a briefing with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, clarified, "Several countries are members of both SAARC and BIMSTEC, and some are also part of ASEAN. There is no contradiction in being involved in multiple regional groupings."

This statement comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the effectiveness of SAARC, which has struggled with inactivity due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Secretary General emphasized that both organizations play distinct but complementary roles in regional cooperation. BIMSTEC, linking South Asia with Southeast Asia, focuses on economic and technical collaboration, while SAARC has traditionally aimed at broader regional integration among South Asian nations.

Pandey also provided an update on the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 4 in Thailand. Heads of government from member states are expected to attend, and while formal discussions will take place during the summit, bilateral meetings will also be arranged on the sidelines through mutual consultations.

He acknowledged Bangladesh's critical role as a founding member of BIMSTEC and its continued efforts to strengthen the organization. Pandey expressed appreciation for the interim government's ongoing support in advancing BIMSTEC's regional agenda, stating, "We respect Bangladesh’s political transition and welcome its continued engagement with BIMSTEC."

BIMSTEC, established in 1997, currently consists of seven members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Its mission is to promote regional integration through economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and trade facilitation.

The event was attended by DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, General Secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun, and other members.