National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday called for stronger regional cooperation among BIMSTEC member states to address evolving security challenges, saying the current global environment marked by conflicts, geopolitical uncertainties and rapid technological changes demands urgent collective action.
Addressing the fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi, Doval stressed that member countries must work together to safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.
“We are meeting today in the backdrop of a challenging global landscape. We are witnessing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties. We are also facing multi-domain security threats, amplified by rapid technological advancements. Disruptions in global supply chains have also resulted in economic hardship for all our countries,” Doval said.
“In this setting, there’s an urgent need for us to collaborate, take decisive actions for our mutual benefit, and find solutions through mutual discussions and deliberations to the vexed problems that we are all facing,” he added.
The meeting, hosted by India, brought together top intelligence and security officials from the seven member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Nepal was represented by Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha, Thailand by National Security Council Secretary General Chatchai Bangchaud, Sri Lanka by Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Bangladesh by Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Shamsul Islam, Myanmar by Minister in the President’s Office Tin Aung San, and Bhutan by Home Secretary Sonam Wangyel. BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey also attended the meeting.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the regional grouping, Doval said BIMSTEC connects two of the world’s most dynamic regions and represents nearly 1.7 billion people, accounting for about 22 per cent of the global population, with a combined GDP of nearly USD 5 trillion.
“We are united by the Bay of Bengal, not just geographically, but also through deep civilizational and cultural legacies that have evolved over a millennium of shared history,” he said.
Emphasising the organisation’s expanding security cooperation, Doval noted that BIMSTEC has strengthened collaboration across several critical sectors.
“Building on these unique bonds, BIMSTEC has been anchored in robust cooperation across a range of sectors on the foundations of a great past. We strive to achieve a great future, sharing prosperity and resilience for all our people.”
“We have advanced and strengthened cooperation in fighting terrorism, combating transnational organised crime, cyber threats, meeting maritime challenges, and we are poised to combat new and emerging threats together,” he said.
The NSA said BIMSTEC’s core objectives should continue to guide the organisation’s future agenda.
“BIMSTEC’s long-standing goals of regional security, connectivity, capacity building, and economic security should continue to drive our collective efforts,” he said.
Describing BIMSTEC as central to India’s regional engagement, Doval said the grouping reflects the country’s strategic priorities.
“For India, BIMSTEC represents our vision of Neighbourhood First, our commitment to Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions,” he said.
Looking ahead to BIMSTEC’s 30th anniversary next year, Doval urged member countries to deepen institutional cooperation and strengthen regional capacities.
“As BIMSTEC celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, let us commit to further expand our collaborative potential and infuse new energy and resources towards ensuring regional security. We aim to build institutional capacity and cooperation across our priority sectors,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the future of the grouping, he added, “I am certain that our vision and common aspirations, coupled with mutual trust, will continue to result in tangible outcomes.”
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and intelligence sharing, alongside efforts to address emerging regional security challenges.
Ahead of the meeting, Doval held bilateral discussions with Thailand’s National Security Council Secretary General Chatchai Bangchaud, during which both sides explored ways to enhance intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.
Established through the Bangkok Declaration on June 6, 1997, BIMSTEC was originally formed as BIST-EC. The grouping has evolved into a key platform for promoting regional cooperation in security, connectivity, economic integration and technical collaboration across the Bay of Bengal region.
(With agency inputs)
