BIMSTEC adopts maritime guidelines to boost security

Bangladesh, represented by Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, joined other BIMSTEC member states on Wednesday in pledging to deepen regional security cooperation, as India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval called for coordinated action against terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime and maritime security challenges.

Speaking while chairing the 5th Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi, Doval said the Bay of Bengal grouping must work collectively to address evolving security challenges through closer collaboration and decisive action.

“We are poised to combat new and emerging threats together,” he said, noting that BIMSTEC had strengthened cooperation in counter-terrorism, tackling transnational organised crime, addressing cyber threats
and enhancing maritime security.

The meeting brought together National Security Advisers and heads of delegations from all seven BIMSTEC member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

As BIMSTEC approaches its 30th anniversary next year, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration, strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing knowledge sharing to address a broad range of regional security challenges.

According to an official, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey presented a comprehensive overview of cooperation in the security sector and briefed member states on progress achieved across various areas.

The meeting focused on practical, result-oriented measures to combat terrorism and organised crime, strengthen security in the cyber, maritime and energy domains, improve regional connectivity, enhance disaster management and address new and emerging security threats.

The member states adopted guidelines for the maritime component of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), aimed at enabling faster and more coordinated regional relief operations during emergencies.

They also endorsed a set of guiding principles for maritime law enforcement agencies during interactions at sea. The principles are expected to improve predictability, strengthen cooperation and promote safety during maritime engagements among member states.

Describing BIMSTEC as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, Doval said the grouping brought together “the most significant and vibrant regions of the Indian Ocean”, making it essential for member states to collaborate, take decisive action and resolve common challenges through dialogue and mutual consultation.

Referring to the increasingly complex global environment, he said the region was facing geopolitical uncertainty, armed conflicts and multidimensional security threats intensified by rapid technological advancement.

“We are witnessing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties. We are also facing multi-domain security threats amplified by rapid technological advancement,” Doval said, adding that disruptions to global supply chains had created economic hardship across the region.

Highlighting the bloc’s shared heritage, he said the member countries were connected not only by the Bay of Bengal but also by centuries of civilisational and cultural ties.

“We are home to 1.7 billion people, almost 22 per cent of the world’s population, with a combined GDP of nearly US$5 trillion,” he said.

Doval noted that BIMSTEC had steadily expanded cooperation in regional security, disaster management, transport and trade connectivity, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

“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,” he said.

He added that BIMSTEC’s longstanding priorities—regional security, connectivity, capacity building and economic security—should continue to guide the bloc’s collective efforts.

For India, Doval said BIMSTEC remains central to its “Neighbourhood First” policy, the Act East policy and the “MAHASAGAR” vision, which seeks mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across the region.