First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting Adopts Delhi Declaration to Strengthen Regional Security Cooperation

Ø  Delhi Declaration reaffirms commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under BIMSTEC for realizing a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous BIMSTEC region

Ø  Appreciates India’s initiative to host Inaugural Meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers, marking a milestone in development of institutional architecture for forging security cooperation under BIMSTEC

Ø  Strongly condemns terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism, wherever, by whomsoever and for whatever purposes committed

Ø  Delhi Declaration reiterates determination to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism and violent extremism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law

Ø  Delhi Declaration expresses deepest condolences and solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks in Member States and their families, and with the Governments of the affected States

Ø  Calls for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with applicable domestic and international law

Ø  It underlines the need for cooperation to counter radicalization and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and specifically the financing of terrorism

Ø  Underscores need for full and effective implementation of BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which came into force since March 2021

Ø  Calls for effective implementation of the finalized Plans of Action in areas of Human Trafficking, Narcotic Drugs and Precursor Chemicals and Anti-Money Laundering

Ø  Expresses deep appreciation of the Government of Republic of India for hosting the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, the warm hospitality extended and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting

Ø  Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, India is moving forward with the spirit of ‘Vishwamitra’ and has always remained committed to peace, coexistence, and human welfare

·         The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting concluded in New Delhi on 13 October 2026 with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, aimed at strengthening regional security and cooperation among seven member countries.

·         The member states reaffirmed their commitment to building a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.

·         The declaration strongly condemned terrorism, cross-border terrorism and violent extremism, and called for those responsible for terrorist attacks to be brought to justice.

·         It emphasised cooperation to combat terrorist financing, radicalisation, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and transnational organised crime.

·         Member states called for full implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, in force since March 2021.

·         The declaration stressed cross-border cooperation against human trafficking and online scam centres that exploit trafficking victims for forced criminal activities, adopting a victim-centred approach.

·         It called for implementation of action plans on human trafficking, narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals, and anti-money laundering, alongside progress on extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements.

·         Member states agreed to strengthen information-sharing, intelligence cooperation, maritime security, specialised training and capacity-building to tackle regional security challenges.

·         The BIMSTEC Secretariat was encouraged to develop partnerships with international organisations, including UNODC, INTERPOL and FATF, to reinforce regional security efforts.

·         The declaration appreciated India’s initiative in hosting the inaugural meeting and committed member states to holding Home Ministers’ Meetings regularly to advance security cooperation.

 

[ABS News Service/14.10.2026]

First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting concluded with adoption of Delhi Declaration, on 13 October, 2026.

DELHI DECLARATION

We, the Home Ministers of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Republic of India, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand, being the Member States of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), having met in New Delhi, India, on 13 October 2026, for the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting (HMM):

1.    Reaffirm our commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under BIMSTEC for realizing a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous BIMSTEC region;

2.    Further reaffirm the principle that cooperation within the BIMSTEC in security sector is based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and mutual benefit and it is complementary to and not a substitute for bilateral, sub-regional, regional or multilateral cooperation involving the Member States;

3.    Recall that the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Kathmandu in August 2018, had decided to hold Meetings at the level of Home Ministers, in addition to the Meetings of the BIMSTEC National Security Advisors/Chiefs, to promote cooperation and coordination in counter-terrorism and transnational crime;

4.    Further recall that the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, held in Bangkok on 04 April 2025, had welcomed the decision to establish the mechanism of Home Ministers’ Meeting (HMM) to provide strategic direction and strengthen cooperation in security sector;

5.    Appreciate India’s initiative to host the Inaugural Meeting of the BIMSTEC Home Ministers, which marked a milestone in development of institutional architecture for forging security cooperation under BIMSTEC;

6.    Recognise that Bay of Bengal region is a common security space with shared security challenges, which have transnational and regional dimensions, such as terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, drug-trafficking, organised crime, cybercrimes, money laundering and financing of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, human-trafficking, smuggling of arms, piracy, poaching, illegal human migration and misuse of cyberspace for terrorist activities etc;

7.    Further recognise that transnational crime groups are using technologies to facilitate trafficking in persons and exploit trafficked victims by forcing them to perpetrate online fraud and scam operations, thereby subjecting victims to forced criminality, debt bondage and a range of abusive practices;

8.    Stress the urgency of cooperation among States of origin, transit and destination of victims of trafficking in persons for forced criminality in scam centres, as well as States in which scam centres operate and in which individuals are defrauded, within their respective 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.

9.    Acknowledge the complex and evolving security challenges, and call upon member States to respond appropriately, in the spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.

10.  Underline the crucial importance of fostering regional cooperation in Security Sector under BIMSTEC for preventing, combating and eliminating multidimensional challenges to our security;

11.  Stress that security and development are inter-twined and enhancing regional cooperation under BIMSTEC in security sector will contribute to not only ensuring security but also realising developmental aspirations;

12.  Strongly condemn terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism, wherever, by whomsoever and for whatever purposes committed; reiterate our determination to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law; and in this context, call for effective implementation of the sanctions measures of the UN Security Council, including of the 1267 Sanctions Committee. In this context, express our deepest condolences and solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks in Member States and their families, and with the Governments of the affected States, and call for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with applicable domestic and international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions;

13.  Underline the need for cooperation to counter radicalization and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and specifically the financing of terrorism, including by promoting internationally agreed countering financing of terrorism and anti-money laundering standards, consistent with the domestic laws and applicable international laws as well as to prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and to tackle terrorist recruitment;

14.  Appreciate the exemplary role played by our National Security Chiefs/Advisers in forging regional cooperation in dealing with multiple challenges to our security, including significant progress in maritime security cooperation, initiation of 1.5 Track BIMSTEC Security Dialogue and initiative for Himalayan Science Council, as highlighted in the Report of Secretary General;

15.  Underscore the need for full and effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which has entered into force since March 2021;

16.  Call for effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which was signed in March 2022 at 5th BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo.

17.  Encourage early finalisation of texts of the Conventions on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and Convention Against Trafficking in Persons respectively as well as the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Rescue, Repatriation and Reintegration of Victims of Human Trafficking;

18.  Call for effective implementation of the finalized Plans of Action in areas of Human Trafficking, Narcotic Drugs and Precursor Chemicals and Anti-Money Laundering as well as finalisation of the Plan of Action by the Sub-Group on Cooperation in Countering Radicalization and Terrorism (SG-CCRT);

19.  Note the need for the development of the BIMSTEC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (BDOMD), and for further consultations among Member States on the proposed BIMSTEC Regional Information-Sharing Mechanism on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants to, which should operate in accordance with national legal frameworks, as well as timely publication of Annual Drug Reports by all the Member States;

20.  Commit ourselves to offer tailor-made training and capacity-building programmes for the participants of all member states at our respective premier institutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and other transnational crimes; as regional initiatives under the framework of BIMSTEC;

21.  Commend the excellent work undertaken by the JWG on CTTC and its sub-Groups to forge cooperation in Security Sector and mandate it to follow-up on implementation of the decisions and directives contained in this Declaration.

22.  Encourage convening of meetings of Delegations of the Home Ministries of the BIMSTEC member States on the sidelines of the Meetings of the UN, International and Regional Organisations, as appropriate, with a view to coordinate and express their shared perspectives on the issues on the agenda of such Organisations;

23.  Appreciate the efforts of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in securing the status of Observer at the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), commend its role and contribution in preparing for this Meeting, and assure it of our full support in taking forward regional security cooperation under BIMSTEC; and encourage the Secretariat to explore opportunities for partnerships with International Organisations such as UNODC, INTERPOL, FATF and other relevant international and regional organisations, with a view to complementing and reinforcing the measures undertaken by the Member States;

24.  Express our deep appreciation of the Government of Republic of India for hosting the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, the warm hospitality extended to us and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting;

25.  Commit ourselves to meeting regularly and frequently and hosting our future Meetings.