National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday hosted the fifth BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting in New Delhi, which included delegations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to discuss regional security cooperation and emerging strategic challenges.
The meeting stressed the growing importance of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, two of the world’s most dynamic regions connected through the Indian Ocean. Over the years, BIMSTEC has expanded cooperation across key sectors, including regional security, disaster management, transportation and trade connectivity, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
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During the meeting, the Secretary General of BIMSTEC provided a comprehensive overview of progress in the security sector and updated Member States on developments in multiple areas of cooperation within the framework of the regional grouping.
National security agencies and heads of delegations held extensive discussions on practical and results-oriented measures to enhance regional security. The deliberations focused on strengthening cooperation to combat terrorism and organized crime, improving cybersecurity, ensuring maritime and energy security, enhancing regional connectivity and strengthening disaster management mechanisms. Participants also exchanged views on addressing new and emerging security threats facing the region.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the adoption of the Guidelines for the Maritime Component of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). The guidelines are expected to enable BIMSTEC Member States to coordinate and implement relief operations across the region more effectively and in a time-bound manner during natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
Member States have also adopted a set of guidelines for maritime law enforcement agencies during interactions at sea. These principles aim to improve predictability, enhance safety and enhance coordination between maritime agencies of BIMSTEC countries during operational engagements.
As BIMSTEC prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, the participating passive security agencies underlined their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and institutional capacity.
They reiterated the need for greater knowledge sharing and close cooperation to build resilience to traditional and non-traditional security challenges while strengthening the region’s collective ability to respond to emerging threats.
