The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting concluded in New Delhi on October 13, 2026, with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration. The member states reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under BIMSTEC to build a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous region, and recognised the Bay of Bengal region as a common security space facing shared transnational challenges, including terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime, money laundering, human trafficking, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, smuggling of arms, piracy, poaching, illegal human migration and the misuse of cyberspace for terrorist activities.
Addressing the first Home Ministers’ Meeting of BIMSTEC countries, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for stronger regional cooperation among BIMSTEC countries to combat terrorism, disrupt terrorist financing and organised crime, and ensure that terrorist networks do not find a haven in the region. HM Shah said India follows a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Commitment to Regional Security Cooperation
The Home Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand met in New Delhi for the inaugural Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Home Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming their commitment to security cooperation based on sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The declaration recalled the decision taken at the fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu in August 2018 to hold Home Ministers’ Meetings alongside meetings of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs and Advisers to promote cooperation and coordination in counterterrorism and transnational crime.
It also recalled the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, which welcomed the establishment of the Home Ministers’ Meeting mechanism to provide strategic direction and strengthen security cooperation among member states, according to a press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The member states acknowledged the complex and evolving nature of security challenges and called for appropriate responses based on cooperation and shared responsibility. They also underlined the close relationship between security and development, noting that stronger regional security cooperation would contribute to the region’s developmental aspirations.
Strong Condemnation of Terrorism
The Delhi Declaration strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, irrespective of where, by whom or for what purpose they are committed.
The member states reiterated their determination to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. They also called for effective implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions, including measures under the 1267 Sanctions Committee.
The declaration stressed the need for cooperation to counter radicalisation, terrorist recruitment and the financing of terrorism. It called for the promotion of internationally agreed anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards, consistent with domestic laws and applicable international obligations, and for measures to prevent the exploitation of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
The member states expressed their condolences and solidarity with victims of terrorist attacks, their families and the governments of affected states, and called for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with applicable domestic and international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Cooperation Against Human Trafficking and Online Scams
The declaration highlighted the growing use of technology by transnational criminal groups to facilitate human trafficking and force trafficked persons to participate in online fraud and scam operations. Such exploitation exposes victims to forced criminality, debt bondage and other abusive practices.
The member states stressed the urgency of cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination of trafficking victims, as well as countries where scam centres operate and individuals are defrauded. They called for coordinated action within national jurisdictions and across borders, in accordance with domestic laws and applicable international obligations, and through a victim-centred approach that respects the rights of victims.
Implementation of Regional Security Conventions
The declaration underscored the need for full and effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which entered into force in March 2021.
It also called for effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo in March 2022.
The member states encouraged the early finalisation of the proposed conventions on extradition, transfer of sentenced persons and combating trafficking in persons. They also called for the finalisation of the Standard Operating Procedure for the rescue, repatriation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking.
The declaration further called for effective implementation of the existing plans of action on human trafficking, narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals, and anti-money laundering, as well as finalisation of the plan of action of the Sub-Group on Cooperation in Countering Radicalisation and Terrorism.
Information Sharing and Capacity Building
The member states noted the need to develop the BIMSTEC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (BDOMD) and hold further consultations on the proposed BIMSTEC Regional Information-Sharing Mechanism on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. The mechanism is to operate in accordance with the national legal frameworks of member states.
They also called for the timely publication of annual drug reports by all member states and committed to offering tailored training and capacity-building programmes at their respective premier institutions. The programmes will cover counterterrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and other transnational crimes.
The Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG on CTTC) was commended for its work in strengthening regional security cooperation and tasked with following up on the implementation of the decisions and directives contained in the Delhi Declaration.
Strengthening Institutional and International Partnerships
The declaration appreciated the role of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs and Advisers in advancing regional cooperation on security challenges. It noted progress in maritime security cooperation, the initiation of the BIMSTEC 1.5 Track Security Dialogue and the initiative for a Himalayan Science Council, as highlighted in the report of the BIMSTEC Secretary-General.
The member states also encouraged delegations from their Home Ministries to meet on the sidelines of meetings of the United Nations and other international and regional organisations, as appropriate, to coordinate and express shared perspectives on issues under discussion.
The BIMSTEC Secretariat was appreciated for securing observer status at the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and for its contribution to organising the meeting. The declaration encouraged the Secretariat to explore partnerships with international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to complement and reinforce security measures undertaken by member states.
Commitment to Regular Meetings
The member states expressed their appreciation to the Government of India for hosting the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi and for the hospitality and arrangements made for the meeting.
They also committed to holding meetings regularly and frequently and to hosting future meetings, reaffirming their resolve to advance regional security cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework.
-PIB inputs
