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New Delhi, October 13, 2026: The first meeting of the Home Ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) concluded in New Delhi on Tuesday with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming the member countries’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation to build a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous region. According to a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Delhi, the declaration underscores the importance of coordinated regional efforts to address shared security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The declaration was adopted by the Home Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, who met in New Delhi on October 13 for the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting. The ministers welcomed India’s initiative to host the inaugural meeting, describing it as a milestone in developing the institutional framework for security cooperation under BIMSTEC. The declaration also recalled the decisions taken at the fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu in August 2018 and the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, to strengthen cooperation in the security sector through a dedicated mechanism for Home Ministers. Strongly condemning terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, the member states reiterated their determination to prevent, combat and eliminate these threats through comprehensive and sustained measures in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. The declaration called for the effective implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions, including measures under the 1267 Sanctions Committee. It also expressed deep condolences and solidarity with victims of terrorist attacks in member states, their families and the governments of affected countries, while calling for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with applicable domestic and international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The ministers stressed the need to strengthen cooperation to counter radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorist financing, including through internationally agreed standards on combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering. They also called for measures to prevent the exploitation of emerging technologies for terrorist activities and to tackle terrorist recruitment. Recognising the increasingly complex nature of transnational crime, the declaration highlighted the use of technology by criminal networks to traffic people and exploit victims in online fraud and scam operations. It called for closer cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination, as well as countries where scam centres operate and individuals are defrauded. Such cooperation, it said, should follow a victim-centred approach that respects victims’ rights and complies with domestic laws and applicable international obligations.   The declaration further emphasised the need for the 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 conventions on extradition, the transfer of sentenced persons and combating trafficking in persons, alongside standard operating procedures for the rescue, repatriation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking. The ministers also called for effective implementation of the finalised plans of action on human trafficking, narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals, and anti-money laundering. They emphasised the need to finalise a plan of action on countering radicalisation and terrorism and to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms to address human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The declaration noted the need to develop the BIMSTEC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk and called for timely publication of annual drug reports by all member states. It also committed the countries to providing tailored training and capacity-building programmes through their respective premier institutions to strengthen regional capabilities in counterterrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and other transnational crimes. Acknowledging the contribution of national security chiefs and advisers to regional cooperation, the ministers welcomed progress in maritime security cooperation, the initiation of the BIMSTEC 1.5 Track Security Dialogue and the initiative for a Himalayan Science Council. The Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG on CTTC) was commended for its work in advancing security cooperation and was mandated to follow up on the implementation of the decisions and directives contained in the declaration. The declaration also encouraged meetings among delegations from the home ministries of member states on the sidelines of meetings of the United Nations and other international and regional organisations to coordinate their positions on issues of common interest. It welcomed the BIMSTEC Secretariat’s efforts to secure observer status at the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering and encouraged it to explore partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Reaffirming the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and mutual benefit, the declaration stated that security cooperation under BIMSTEC would complement, rather than replace, bilateral, sub-regional, regional and multilateral cooperation among member states.