Bimstec security chiefs discuss security challenges

New Delhi March 21 (IANS) In a bid to enhance cooperation in countering security challenges the national security chiefs of the Bimstec countries held their first meeting here on Tuesday.

Strengthening cooperation to counter security challenges External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

First Meeting of National Security Chiefs of Bimstec countries held in New Delhi today he said.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) is a regional bloc comprising Bangladesh India Myanmar Sri Lanka Thailand Bhutan and Nepal.

With the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) regional group increasingly becoming ineffective mainly due to non-cooperation by Pakistan on several issues India has been giving more importance to the Bimstec regional grouping in recent times.

Last year as the host of the BRICS (Brazil Russia India China South Africa) Summit India also organised a Bimstec outreach meeting on the sidelines in Goa.

--IANS
ab/vt