India to host International Buddhist Conclave in 2020, PM Modi invites BIMSTEC members

Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Srilanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are the member nations of the BIMSTEC.

While addressing the inaugural session of the fourth BIMSTEC Summit, Modi said: "In August, 2020, India will host International Buddhist Conclave. At this opportunity, I am inviting all BIMSTEC members to come to India as the Guest of Honour and be a part of the event."

The Prime Minister also said he is ready to hold a conference with the other BIMSTEC nations to discuss problems related to narcotics.

He said: "There is no single country in the Summit who haven't faced problems of terrorism,  terrorism-linked trans-national crimes and drug trafficking. We are ready to hold a conference on on narcotics-related topics within the framework of BIMSTEC."

Modi on Thursday met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of BIMSTEC summit in Kathmandu and had talks on bilateral cooperation.

"Neighbourhood First! PM @narendramodi had a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu. Good and positive exchange of views on strengthening development cooperation and other areas of bilateral relationship," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Earlier, after his arrival in Kathmandu, Modi and other BIMSTEC leaders jointly called on Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

The Prime Minister reached Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, on Thursday morning.

The BIMSTEC, which was founded in 1997, is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and South East Asia.