BIMSTEC Home Ministers Adopt Delhi Declaration on Regional Security
Amit Shah hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, where member states approved five security initiatives and the Delhi Declaration to combat terrorism.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026. During the session, home ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand adopted the Delhi Declaration and approved five regional security initiatives. These initiatives establish coordinated plans of action to target human trafficking, drug control, illicit financial flows, and natural disaster preparedness.
Shah reaffirmed India's "zero tolerance" policy against terrorism and urged member states to prevent terrorist networks from recruiting, training, or seeking refuge within the region. He characterized drug trafficking as "death trafficking," arguing that narcotics smuggling often funds organized crime and terrorism. To address these threats, the group signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat money laundering and terror financing, while prioritizing enhanced real-time intelligence sharing and extradition cooperation.
India committed to sharing expertise in forensic investigations and counter-terrorism operations. Additionally, the Indian government proposed the establishment of a BIMSTEC Centre for disaster management in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The meeting followed support for the initiative previously expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.
