The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat drew to a close on 11-12 July 2024, as foreign ministers gathered to strengthen cooperation among the BIMSTEC member countries. The BIMSTEC countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India External Affairs Minister, lauded the retreat, describing it as "productive" and the meetings "highly useful." Mr. Jaishankar also noted how India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East Policies are strategically aligned with BIMSTEC initiatives.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the retreat, which discussed such issues as regional cooperation, energy, trade, health, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.

• EAM Jaishankar wraps up "productive" BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Summit