Foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) are expected to finalise an anti-terror pact, which will help them in the fight against terrorism.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand the seven members of Bimstec would be meeting in New Delhi on August 29 and most likely finalise the anti-terror agreement.
The accord holds special significance in the wake of a series of terror attacks in India and elsewhere in the region in recent months. The aim is to break the regional network of the terror outfits through closer cooperation, timely and free exchange of information among the member countries.
According to an official in the ministry of external affairs, ?The proposed pact would be on the lines of the one signed by members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) at the recent summit in Colombo.?
Some members of the Bimstec such as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka are also members of the Saarc.
Also on the agenda of the Bimstec meeting would be important documents that are slated to be inked during the forthcoming Bimstec Summit that India will host in November this year.
?Since an agreement to combat terrorism has already been signed in the Saarc, we are hopeful that we will also be able to have one with the Bimstec members,? the official said.
The sources said it would help in combating international terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking and at fighting cross-border terrorism, ?with united efforts? and will also help member-states to share information on the activities of individuals and groups, identified or suspected to be engaged in trans-national crimes like smuggling of arms, explosives, drugs and humans.
With countries like Bangladesh, Thailand and Sri Lanka seeking Bimstec secretariat in their countries, the matter will be discussed at the foreign ministers? meeting at the forthcoming meeting. Among other things, the meetings would also discuss the setting up of two centres?one for climate studies and the other for energy.
Also, the foreign minister of Bangladesh is expected to initiate free trade talks with countries like India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in an attempt to give their country an economic boost.
Bangladesh, which is a member of the WTO, is also part of two regional trade treaties: the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta) and Bimstec.