Myanmar's troubled situation looms over Bay of Bengal regional summit

Impact of earthquake and civil war on connectivity plans expected to dominate talks

20250402 2022 BIMSTEC in Colombo

The last summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was in Colombo, Sri Lanka in March 2022  © Getty Images

MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR and KIRAN SHARMA

BANGKOK/NEW DELHI -- The aftershocks from the earthquake that struck Myanmar last Friday are set to ripple through this week's Bangkok meeting of leaders from the Bay of Bengal region, where cross-border connectivity is a signature theme.

Thai foreign ministry insiders expect the impact of the natural disaster -- as well as the weak grip Myanmar's military regime has on much of the country -- to come under scrutiny at the summit, which will take place Thursday and Friday. Particular attention will be paid to Myanmar's Sagaing region, as it is a linchpin in an ambitious highway project to connect India, Myanmar and Thailand.

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