BIMSTEC Adopts Delhi Declaration to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism, Address Regional Challenges

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: BIMSTEC member countries have adopted the Delhi Declaration, pledging to strengthen regional peace, security and development through coordinated action against cross border terrorism, terror financing, radicalisation and other transnational crimes.

The declaration was approved at the first meeting of BIMSTEC home ministers held in New Delhi. It sets out key priorities for regional security cooperation, including intelligence sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, capacity building and the effective implementation of existing agreements and action plans, according to an official statement.

The participating countries underscored the need for a coordinated approach to tackling terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and organised criminal networks. They also stressed the importance of addressing the financial channels that support terrorist activities and other illegal operations.

The declaration recognised India’s role in advancing regional security cooperation and highlighted the need to protect and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking, particularly those exploited in online scam operations.

Alongside the declaration, the grouping approved several agreements and action plans designed to improve law enforcement coordination, combat cross-border criminal activities and strengthen preparedness for natural disasters.

These included the BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons, the Plan of Action on Drug Control and a memorandum of understanding on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing.

The convention on human trafficking seeks to improve cooperation among member states in preventing the crime, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and providing protection, rehabilitation and support to victims.

The drug control action plan focuses on preventing the illegal movement of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals across the region. It is intended to strengthen cooperation among participating countries in tackling drug-related offences and disrupting trafficking networks.

The member nations also endorsed a memorandum of understanding to improve their capabilities in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The framework provides for the exchange of best practices and cooperation in financial intelligence, criminal investigations, asset recovery, anti-money laundering measures and efforts to counter the financing of terrorism and proliferation.

Another major outcome was the approval of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows and Their Prevention. The initiative aims to identify the sources, risks and channels through which illicit funds move across member countries, helping authorities strengthen financial oversight and cooperation.

Disaster management also featured prominently in the discussions. The grouping approved a plan to improve preparedness and coordination in responding to natural disasters across the Bay of Bengal region.

The proposed measures include regional risk assessment, joint exercises, early warning systems, disaster mapping, specialised training facilities, information sharing, research, technological innovation and initiatives to reduce tsunami-related risks.

India reiterated its willingness to share expertise in police training, counter-terrorism operations and forensic investigations with other BIMSTEC members. The meeting also highlighted cooperation in disaster management, including the proposed BIMSTEC Centre for Disaster Management in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The decisions reflect a broader effort by member countries to strengthen institutional coordination and develop practical mechanisms for responding to shared security and humanitarian challenges.

BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The regional organisation seeks to promote economic, technical and other forms of cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and neighbouring areas. Its latest decisions place greater emphasis on collective security, financial transparency, crime prevention and disaster resilience as essential elements of regional stability.