US encourages multilateral cooperation in SE Asia: LaFave

The US government will support the sub-regional cooperation between India and Bangladesh and encourage multilateral cooperations in South East Asia, US Consul General in Kolkata Helen LaFave has said.
"Besides sub-regional cooperation between India and Bangladesh, the US government encourages the Bangladesh- China-India-Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and India's Look East Policy," LaFave told reporters here last evening.
The US government has been encouraging multilateral cooperational regimes between nations of the South East Asian sub-region as a part of several mutually agreed policies between the US and many South East Asian nations, she said.

"We have been involved in encouraging increased economic, commercial and security-based integration of mutual efforts in the sub-region through the Indo-Pacific Economic Corner (IPAC) and such other mechanisms. We want to see a stable, tension free and peaceful South Asia," she said.
LaFave had earlier visited Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur and Sikkim.
Asked about the possibilities of investment in the Northeast after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, she said "I am here to pursue the issues discussed by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to the US.
"We offer opportunities for Indian students for higher studies in the US. The US Centre's in the country will be able to help and guide students who are interested to study in the US," she said.