The Fourth Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (BNSCs) and its Preparatory Meeting were held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar last week. Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne represented Sri Lanka in the meeting held on Friday (26) in Nay Pyi Taw.
Union Minister and National Security Advisor of Myanmar General Moe Aung opened the Fourth Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs, held in retreat format. The delegations representing BIMSTEC countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand attended the meetings.
The discussions were mainly focused on regional security challenges, maritime security, cyber security, and future directions and initiatives. The progress of the BIMSTEC region on counter terrorism and transnational crime (CTTC) and other developments in the security sector were also taken into account. Sri Lanka requested enhanced collaboration between the BIMSTEC countries in these areas.
Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne had bilateral meetings with Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and National Security Advisor and Union Minister for the Ministry 1 of the State Administration Council Chairman’s Office Admiral Moe Aung, respectively. Matters of importance to both countries including, cooperation in the defense and maritime sectors and the exchange of delegations and trainee officers were discussed. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne also requested the assistance of the Myanmar Government in rescuing the remaining 54 Sri Lankans trapped in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar at the moment, while also thanking the earlier assistance provided in this regard by the Myanmar Government.
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