The 17th session of BIMSTEC senior officials' meeting has begun at Kathmandu today. During the day long meeting delegates of member countries will review the progress made by Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and recommend future course of action to strengthen regional cooperation among the group.<br/><br/>The date of 4th BIMSTEC Summit, to be held in Nepal this year, is also likely to be announced. At the end of session a report on various activities of group will be adopted. Indian delegation is led by Secretary (East) Ms. Preeti Saran.<br/><br/>The importance of BIMSTEC was highlighted during the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit held at Goa in October last year, where Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had expressed his desire to promote BIMSTEC and assured full cooperation it needs to move on. Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal,Thailand and Sri Lanka.