New Delhi: India today hosted the inaugural meeting of Home Ministers from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), marking a significant milestone in regional security collaboration. Held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the gathering brought together delegations from all seven member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration and the approval of several agreements aimed at tightening cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit financial flows, cyber threats and organised crime.
The event was preceded by a senior officials’ meeting led by the Union Home Secretary, setting the stage for high-level discussions on practical mechanisms to enhance collective security across the Bay of Bengal region. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described BIMSTEC as an essential platform for regional integration, economic cooperation and collective security. He emphasised that the organisation has evolved into a vital forum for addressing shared challenges that transcend national borders.
India’s Vision of Inclusive Security and the Principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
Addressing the assembled ministers, Shah reaffirmed India’s longstanding commitment to peace and human welfare, guided by the ancient principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. He underscored that India respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and believes firmly in the peaceful resolution of disputes. Drawing on the vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, Shah recalled the Prime Minister’s words: “For us, BIMSTEC is not just a regional organisation. It is a model for our inclusive development and security.”
It is now the responsibility of Home Ministers, Shah stated, to translate this cooperation into practical mechanisms that strengthen the safety of citizens and the capabilities of law enforcement agencies across the region. He identified five priority areas that will guide future collaboration: drug control, counter-terrorism and legal cooperation, repatriation of fugitive criminals, cybersecurity and cybercrime investigations, and institutional cooperation and capacity building.
Zero Tolerance Towards Terrorism and the Call for Collective Action
Reiterating India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, the Home Minister called for a unified regional commitment to ensure that no terrorist network finds space within BIMSTEC countries for shelter, recruitment, training, financing or activities directed against neighbouring nations. Shah stressed that criminal networks operate across borders and exploit local vulnerabilities, making real-time cooperation and coordination among intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies, financial monitoring institutions and border management authorities indispensable.
On counter-terrorism, he emphasised the need for the exchange of actionable intelligence through designated nodal agencies and stronger coordination against terrorist financing and organised crime. India, he noted, has achieved significant success in bringing fugitive criminals back from different parts of the world to face justice. He appealed to all BIMSTEC members to strengthen mutual assistance in extradition and legal cooperation, in accordance with national laws and applicable treaties, so that no criminal or terrorist can evade the law regardless of where they may be hiding.
Drug Trafficking as “Death Trafficking” and the Push for a Regional Approach
Turning to narcotics, Shah delivered a stark assessment. Drug trafficking, he said, is essentially death trafficking. “This is not merely the drug trade, but an attack on the lives of our youth, society, culture, and the future of coming generations.” He pointed to the region traditionally known as the Golden Triangle, describing it as a “Death Triangle” to highlight the destructive impact of narcotics on young people and societies across the Bay of Bengal. No single country, he argued, can tackle this menace alone; a coordinated regional approach is essential.
Proposed measures include full implementation of the BIMSTEC Drug Control Action Plan finalised earlier in Colombo, real-time information sharing across drug supply chains, the establishment of joint task forces, prevention of the diversion of precursor chemicals, and the identification and seizure of illegal financial assets linked to drug trafficking.
Cybersecurity, Emerging Threats and Institutional Strengthening
The discussions also focused on emerging cyber threats. Ministers highlighted the misuse of encrypted communications, social media platforms, cryptocurrency, drones and the dark web for terrorist propaganda, recruitment and illegal funding. Cooperation against cyber-enabled human trafficking, forced recruitment and online fraud through joint protocols and information-sharing mechanisms was identified as a priority.
India welcomed the proposed BIMSTEC Security Information Database and Information Sharing Centre. The country also expressed its willingness to share expertise in police training, counter-terrorism operations and forensic investigations to strengthen the institutional capacities of fellow member states.
Disaster Management Centre in Jamnagar and India’s Role as First Responder
Shah drew attention to the proposed BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre planned in Jamnagar, Gujarat—an initiative announced by Prime Minister Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The centre, he said, underscores India’s role as a first responder in the region. He urged member countries to participate actively in making the facility operational, noting that “the security of one member state strengthens the security of the entire region.”
Background: What is BIMSTEC and Why It Matters
BIMSTEC is a regional organisation established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Its secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The seven member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand—represent a unique bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. The organisation aims to promote economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood.
For India, BIMSTEC holds strategic importance as it supports both the Neighbourhood First policy and the Act East policy. The grouping provides a platform for inclusive development, connectivity and security cooperation that complements other regional frameworks.
Outcomes of the Meeting: Delhi Declaration and Forward Path
The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, a comprehensive document that outlines shared commitments on counter-terrorism, drug control, human trafficking, illicit financial flows, cyber threats and mutual legal assistance. Member states approved a series of practical pacts designed to operationalise these commitments through enhanced intelligence sharing, joint training programmes, coordinated border management and capacity-building initiatives.
The meeting reinforced the understanding that transnational challenges require transnational solutions. By placing the security of citizens at the centre of regional cooperation, the seven nations have taken a decisive step towards building a more secure and resilient Bay of Bengal region.
Looking Ahead
As the first such meeting of its kind, the New Delhi gathering sets a strong precedent for regular high-level engagement among BIMSTEC Home Ministers. The Delhi Declaration provides a clear roadmap for future action, while the five priority areas identified by Home Minister Amit Shah offer a practical framework for sustained cooperation. With the proposed Security Information Database, the Disaster Management Centre in Jamnagar and strengthened legal mechanisms for extradition and mutual assistance, BIMSTEC is poised to enhance its role as a model of inclusive development and collective security in the years ahead.
The successful convening of this inaugural meeting underlines India’s commitment to working with its neighbours as equal partners. Guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and organised crime, the seven BIMSTEC nations have demonstrated that regional solidarity remains the most effective response to the complex security challenges of the 21st century.
FAQs
1. What is BIMSTEC and which countries are its members?
BIMSTEC stands for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. It is a regional organisation established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, with its secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The seven member states are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It connects South Asia and Southeast Asia and supports economic, technical and security cooperation among countries around the Bay of Bengal.
2. When and where was the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held, and who chaired it?
The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting was held in New Delhi on 14 October 2026. It was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by delegations from all seven member states. The meeting was preceded by a senior officials’ gathering led by the Union Home Secretary.
3. What is the Delhi Declaration adopted at the meeting?
The Delhi Declaration is the key outcome document adopted by the seven BIMSTEC Home Ministers. It outlines collective commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit financial flows, cyber threats and organised crime. It also endorses practical pacts on intelligence sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition and capacity building.
4. What were the five priority areas highlighted by Home Minister Amit Shah?
Amit Shah identified five priority areas for regional cooperation: (1) drug control, (2) counter-terrorism and legal cooperation, (3) repatriation of fugitive criminals, (4) cybersecurity and cybercrime investigations, and (5) institutional cooperation and capacity building. He stressed real-time intelligence sharing, joint task forces and stronger extradition mechanisms under national laws and treaties.
5. What is the proposed BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre and why is it significant?
The BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre is planned to be established in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025, it aims to strengthen regional preparedness and response to natural disasters. India has urged all member countries to participate actively, underscoring that the security of one member strengthens the entire region.
