Political consensus is necessary among the leaders in South Asian countries to deepen integration, enhance trade, beef up cooperation in their fighting against climate change, and achieve much-desired economic prosperity, said economists, researchers and policy-makers yesterday.
At an event in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday slammed Pakistan and said India will not tolerate a situation where "terrorism happens by night and trade happens by day". Jaishankar also spoke on a range of issues from the Ladakh standoff to Canada giving space to pro-Khalistani separatists and extremist elements.
Bimstec has emerged as a critical instrument of regional cooperation linking five South Asian countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.