Bangladesh Joins First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Dialogue in India
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi, resulting in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration to boost regional security.
In a significant move toward regional stability, Bangladesh was among the key nations participating in the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Dialogue hosted by India in New Delhi. The high-level meeting focused on bolstering security cooperation across the Bay of Bengal region.
The Delhi Declaration: A Blueprint for Security
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the summit concluded with the successful adoption of the Delhi Declaration. This landmark agreement reaffirms the collective commitment of all BIMSTEC member states to enhance cooperation in critical security sectors.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the dialogue saw participation from all member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The session was hosted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and aimed to create a unified front against evolving regional threats.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The dialogue identified several priority areas to ensure a safer and more secure region. The member nations focused on coordinated responses to the following threats:
- Cross-border terrorism and terror financing
- Drug trafficking and narcotics control
- Human trafficking and organized crime
- Cybercrime and radicalization
- Money laundering and illicit financial flows
New Agreements and Action Plans
To turn these discussions into actionable strategies, the member countries approved several vital frameworks during the meeting. These include:
- The BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons
- A dedicated Plan of Action on Drug Control
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing
Furthermore, the nations endorsed a plan to address illicit financial flows and agreed on enhanced measures to strengthen regional preparedness and coordination when responding to natural disasters.
Strengthening Regional Ties
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized India's unwavering commitment to strengthening cooperation among BIMSTEC members to tackle organized crime and illegal drug trafficking. The meeting underscored the importance of information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, and capacity building to ensure regional stability.
BIMSTEC currently comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, serving as a vital platform for cooperation between South and Southeast Asia.