Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has described his official visit to Thailand and participation in the sixth BIMSTEC Summit as very successful and meaningful. His visit has elevated bilateral relations to a new height, he informed during a press conference at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport upon his return.
According to National News Agency Nepal, PM Oli highlighted fruitful discussions with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, focusing on regional and multi-sectoral cooperation in areas such as bilateral trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, culture, education, and human resource development. Both countries, sharing common Buddhist ties, agreed to enhance diplomatic relations by expanding economic and cultural activities.
PM Oli stated that Nepal secured a commitment from the Thai government to support Nepal’s national ambition of ‘Prosperous Nepal-Happy Nepali.’ Thailand expressed readiness to assist in sectors like agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and IT. The two countries also agreed to collaborate in international and regional forums on shared concerns like climate change, world peace, and sustainable development.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to support cultural and tourism exchanges. PM Oli also extended an invitation to Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra to visit Nepal soon.
During his address at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, PM Oli discussed pressing regional and global issues such as economic inequality, rising economic risks, and political uncertainty, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation. He also invited BIMSTEC member countries’ Heads to participate in the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad, a forum for discussing environmental and other regional and international challenges.
In his Summit address, PM Oli highlighted the existential threat posed by climate change to humanity. He also expressed condolences on behalf of Nepal over the loss of lives and property in the recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand, wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The Bangkok Declaration incorporated issues related to implementing BIMSTEC Vision 2030 for the region’s development, prosperity, and sustainability, and capitalizing on regional economic growth opportunities.
Prior to the Summit, a BIMSTEC ministry-level meeting emphasized the need to approve and implement an action plan related to human resource development, public health, education, science and technology, and climate change.
During meetings with Nepali and Thai entrepreneurs, PM Oli urged investment in Nepal, assuring that the government is committed to making foreign investment easy, safe, and result-oriented. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai read a press note on behalf of PM Oli at the press conference.
PM Oli also held meetings with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, and Myanmar’s Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing during the BIMSTEC Summit.
Leading a Nepali delegation, PM Oli had embarked on his official visit to Thailand on April 1 at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit.