By IANS,
New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna goes to Myanmar on a three-day visit Thursday to attend a multilateral meeting of seven countries which ring the Bay of Bengal that will focus on jointly combating terrorism and promoting free trade in the region.
The 12th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation will he held in the Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw.
The ministers of seven countries will firm up a regional convention to expand counter-terror cooperation and promote trade, connectivity and popular contacts in the region, official sources said here.
BIMSTEC comprises India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. India hosted the second BIMSTEC summit last year.
A joint statement on promoting mutual economic growth and development is expected to be signed at the ministerial meeting.
Four pacts related to the establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Centre, centre for weather and climate, cultural industries observatory and cultural industries, as well as cooperation against international crime are expected to be signed.
Krishna is likely to meet the foreign ministers of Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.