BIMSTEC / BIMSTEC Nations Discuss Stronger Joint Action Against Terrorism, Transnational Crime in New Delhi

New Delhi: The 11th meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC) was held in New Delhi on September 28-29, bringing together representatives from all seven member states to strengthen regional cooperation against security threats.

Hosted by the Government of India, the two-day meeting was attended by delegations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in India's Ministry of External Affairs, chaired the meeting. Discussions focused on both traditional and emerging non-traditional security challenges confronting countries in the BIMSTEC region.

The participating countries deliberated on measures to strengthen cooperation and coordination in addressing terrorism and transnational crimes. The discussions covered a broad range of issues aimed at improving information sharing, law-enforcement cooperation and collective responses to evolving security challenges.

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The meeting also reviewed reports and recommendations from five sub-groups working under the BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC framework. These included the sub-group on human trafficking; the sub-group dealing with the prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals; and the sub-group on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.

Other areas under review included legal and law-enforcement issues, as well as cooperation in countering radicalisation and terrorism.

The deliberations highlighted the importance of coordinated regional efforts to address crimes and security threats that increasingly cross national borders. The participating member states exchanged views and made recommendations aimed at enhancing cooperation and collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework.

The meeting comes as BIMSTEC countries continue to work towards deeper regional cooperation on security and other shared challenges. The recommendations discussed during the meeting are expected to contribute to strengthening mechanisms for collective action against terrorism and transnational crime across the region.