BIMSTEC security chiefs agree on joint action against terror and maritime threats in New Delhi
Security chiefs from BIMSTEC member states met in New Delhi on Thursday and agreed to deepen coordination on terrorism, organised crime and maritime security. The meeting was hosted by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and brought together national security advisers and heads of delegations from the regional grouping. The discussions also covered cyber, energy and disaster-management cooperation, according to an official statement.
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The meeting endorsed new guiding principles for maritime law enforcement interactions at sea. It also adopted guidelines for the maritime component of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which officials said are intended to help member states carry out relief operations more quickly in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs said the principles are meant to improve predictability and safety during maritime engagements among member states.
BIMSTEC brings together India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, all of which have interests in the Indian Ocean and wider regional security environment. Officials said the talks focused on practical and result-oriented solutions, including efforts to strengthen resilience and institutional capacity. The BIMSTEC secretary general also presented an overview of cooperation in the security sector and briefed members on progress across a range of areas.
The agreement matters because BIMSTEC has increasingly positioned itself as a platform linking South Asia and Southeast Asia on issues that go beyond trade and transport. The grouping has already expanded cooperation in disaster management, connectivity, technology and people-to-people contacts, and the latest meeting adds a more explicit security dimension. The emphasis on maritime law enforcement is particularly relevant for states that share sea routes, coastlines and exposure to cross-border risks.
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The timing is also notable as BIMSTEC approaches its 30th anniversary next year. The member states said they want to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing to address diverse security threats, including emerging ones. That suggests the grouping is trying to move from broad political statements toward more operational coordination in areas where national agencies may need to work together more closely.
What remains unclear is how quickly the new principles and guidelines will be put into practice and whether member states will follow them with further technical arrangements. The statement did not give a timetable for implementation or detail any enforcement mechanism. The next stage will be whether the agreed framework leads to more regular cooperation at sea, in disaster response and in counter-terrorism work.
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