KATHMANDU: The BIMSTEC Summit, originally set for early next week, has been postponed.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra made the decision on Thursday afternoon, according to a high-level government source cited by Thailand’s state-owned PBS World. The summit was scheduled for September 3-4.
As the current chair of BIMSTEC, Thailand is responsible for leading the regional organization that links South Asia and Southeast Asia.
BIMSTEC, established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, includes seven member countries: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The postponement followed a meeting between Thailand’s caretaker Foreign Minister Maris Sagiamsongsa and Prime Minister Shinawatra.
According to the media, the delay is due to technical issues related to the formation of the new Cabinet.
Earlier, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was expected to attend the summit.
However, political turbulence in Thailand resulted in a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court, which dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for ethical violations related to a ministerial appointment.
Subsequently, Shinawatra was elected as the new prime minister.
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