CNI News
8 April 2025
U Htet Aung Kyaw, vice chairman of the National Democratic Force Party (NDF), told CNI News that the BIMSTEC meeting will help in the rehabilitation efforts for the earthquake-affected people in Myanmar.
The sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was held in Bangkok, Thailand on April 4, 2025.
U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that the countries that attended the meeting are also providing significant assistance to the earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar, which will be supportive to the reconstruction efforts.
" This time, the earthquake caused damage and loss to many people. Therefore, no matter whoever is ruling the country, all humane people will help the people of Myanmar affected by this earthquake. Because the BIMSTEC summit was held shortly after the earthquake, when the SAC chairman and Prime Minister attended the summit, everyone at the meeting were mainly talking about this earthquake. All of them seemed to help us. Five members of the BIMSTEC are helping obviously even now. The meeting is very supportive. To the best of my knowledge, the US will help Myanmar earthquake victims a lot. Many countries in the world do not ignore our Myanmar people. I'm glad to see many countries are helping us." he said.
While seeing the BIMSTEC meeting held on April 4, 2025
The meeting, hosted by Thailand, was attended by leaders from India, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
The SAC chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing from Myanmar attended the meeting. The SAC had a connection with neighboring countries through the BIMSTEC meeting.
BIMSTEC members could certainly provide humanitarian assistance, and are already providing it, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.
" Anyway, SAC has had some contact with neighboring countries, including diplomatic matters. After the coup in our country, the country's civil war becomes deepened. All citizens are suffering from the civil war. There has been a large increase in the number of IDPs. The earthquake that struck major cities like Sagaing, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw on March 28 was the worst in this century. International community may help us. And the BIMSTEC will certainly help us. They are helping us now." he said.
While Indian Prime Minister Modi was meeting with the SAC Chairman
SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 April 2025 to attend the BIMSTEC meeting and held a private meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal. In addition, the SAC Chairman held separate meetings with Indian Prime Minister Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn on April 4.
Indian Prime Minister Modi said during his meeting with the SAC Chairman that India will continue to provide necessary assistance to Myanmar, while Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn said that he will continue to provide assistance to the people of Myanmar affected by the earthquake.
The BIMSTEC includes Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, and holds meetings with the aim of promoting economic cooperation among its member countries.
