Amit Shah: India Committed to BIMSTEC Fight Against Terrorism
Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes India's commitment to the BIMSTEC Convention to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to the effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention. Speaking at the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, Shah emphasized the urgent need for stronger regional coordination to dismantle global terrorism, organized crime, and the illegal trafficking of drugs.
Tackling Evolving Transnational Threats
Addressing representatives from the seven-member Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Shah highlighted how modern criminal networks are rapidly evolving. He noted that these networks exploit local vulnerabilities to operate across national borders.
"Criminal networks operate across borders and take advantage of local weaknesses. So, regional cooperation holds a special place in our functioning. The working of these networks is changing rapidly," Shah stated. He stressed that the meeting serves as a critical platform for regional integration, economic cooperation, and collective security.
A Vision of Peace and Sovereignty
Invoking the ancient principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the Home Minister underscored India's dedication to peace, coexistence, and human welfare. He maintained that India respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and seeks the peaceful resolution of differences rather than dominance.
Shah also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision from the sixth BIMSTEC Summit held in Thailand in April 2025. He noted that the goal now is to translate high-level regional cooperation into practical, actionable mechanisms that enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies and ensure the security of citizens.
Strengthening Regional Security
The inaugural meeting brings together member states from both South and Southeast Asia to address a wide array of security challenges. According to Shah, the meeting underscores a shared resolve to combat:
- Terrorism
- Transnational organized crime
- Narcotics trafficking and radicalization
- Illicit financial flows
- Cyber threats
The BIMSTEC region is a massive economic and demographic powerhouse, representing 1.7 billion people—roughly 22 percent of the world's population—with a combined GDP of USD 5 trillion. By strengthening ties between South Asian nations like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian nations like Myanmar and Thailand, the grouping aims to build a safer and more secure region.