Sushma Swaraj to attend BIMSTEC meeting in Nepal

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will depart for Kathmandu today to participate in the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.During the two-day meet, Foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries will review the progress in identified fourteen areas of cooperation and discuss ways to accelerate cooperation. 

During the visit, Mrs. Swaraj will call on President and Prime Minister of Nepal this evening. 

Keeping in view the Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s forthcoming visit to India, External



Affairs Minister’s scheduled meeting with him assumes significance.Both leaders are expected to discuss various bilateral and regional issues. Mrs. Swaraj will also call on President Vidya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Niwas. Later she will attend inaugural session of the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting. 

Participating ministers will also jointly call on Prime Minister Deuba. 

Mrs. Swaraj will attend a welcome dinner hosted by Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Krishna Bahadur Mahara. She will also meet leaders of Rashtirya Janata Party Nepal.