India hosted the first meeting of Home Ministers from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in New Delhi on October 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting brought together home ministers from all seven member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—to strengthen regional security cooperation and address cross-border threats.
The gathering resulted in the approval of several binding agreements and action plans aimed at combating terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and cyber threats in the Bay of Bengal region.
Key facts
- First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi on October 13, 2026
- All seven member states participated: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
- Five key cooperation areas identified: drug control, counter-terrorism and legal cooperation, fugitive criminal repatriation, cyber-security and cybercrime investigation, and institutional cooperation
- BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons approved
- BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control approved
- Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Building to Combat Money Laundering and Terror Financing approved
- BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows approved
- Plan of Action for Natural Disaster Preparedness in Bay of Bengal Region approved
- BIMSTEC Centre for Disaster Management to be established in Jamnagar, Gujarat
- Delhi Declaration adopted outlining principles for regional security cooperation
What BIMSTEC is
BIMSTEC is a regional grouping of seven South and Southeast Asian nations established to promote multidimensional cooperation, collective security and economic partnerships. It serves as an institutional bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. The decision to hold Home Ministers’ meetings was made at the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit in 2018, though this is the first such gathering.
New agreements and conventions approved
The meeting resulted in approval of four major regional instruments. The BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons aims to prevent human trafficking, criminalise the offence, and protect and rehabilitate victims across member countries. The BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control establishes a coordinated regional approach to combat illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals.
A new Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Building to Combat Money Laundering and Terror Financing provides for expert training, exchange of best practices, and cooperation in financial crimes, financial intelligence, investigations, asset recovery, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows seeks to identify sources, risks and channels of illegal money movement among member states.
Additionally, a Plan of Action for Enhancing Preparedness and Coordination to Address Natural Disasters in the Bay of Bengal Region proposes joint regional efforts including coordinated risk planning, joint exercises, early warning systems, disaster mapping, training centres, information sharing and research. This plan supports the establishment of the BIMSTEC Centre for Disaster Management in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which was proposed during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok in April 2025.
Focus areas of cooperation
The Home Minister identified five priority areas for regional cooperation. Drug control emerges as a major focus, with India describing drug trafficking as ‘death trafficking’ that threatens youth, society and culture. The meeting emphasised that addressing the drug menace requires a coordinated ‘Whole-of-Region’ approach involving all member states, as illicit drug proceeds also finance organised crime and terrorism.
Counter-terrorism and legal cooperation form the second pillar. Member countries committed to preventing terrorist networks from finding safe havens, recruiting members, conducting training, raising funds or launching attacks from any part of the region. The focus includes timely intelligence sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition of criminals, and strengthening cooperation among law enforcement, intelligence and border management agencies.
Cyber-security and cybercrime investigations represent an emerging threat area. The meeting also emphasised capacity building and institutional cooperation to strengthen regional security infrastructure. Disaster management cooperation, particularly in preparation for natural hazards in the Bay of Bengal, was identified as a priority reflecting India’s role as a ‘first responder’ in the region.
The Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, which outlines guiding principles for BIMSTEC security cooperation. The declaration reaffirms member countries’ commitment to regional peace, security and development, emphasising cross-border counter-terrorism operations, terror financing prevention, counter-radicalisation efforts, drug and human trafficking prevention, and cybercrime control. It prioritises information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, capacity building and effective implementation of agreements. The declaration also highlights protection of victims of human trafficking involved in online scams and acknowledges India’s leadership in strengthening regional security cooperation.
What this means for citizens
These agreements strengthen security across the Bay of Bengal region by establishing common standards and coordinated action against transnational threats. Citizens in member countries may benefit from improved border security, better law enforcement cooperation to catch criminals and terrorists, and coordinated disaster management efforts. Increased intelligence sharing and extradition protocols may help bring cross-border offenders to justice more quickly. Regional cooperation on drug trafficking may reduce the supply of illegal narcotics reaching domestic markets.