Bimstec endorses action plans on five regional security priorities

Highlights:

• Member states approve human trafficking cooperation convention
• New framework targets money laundering and terrorist financing
• Plan targets drug trafficking and illicit financial flows
• Disaster cooperation includes early warnings and joint exercises
• Delhi Declaration commits members to stronger security cooperation

Home ministers of Bimstec member states have approved action plans and cooperation frameworks to strengthen regional security, focusing on human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorist financing and disaster management.

The decisions were taken at the first Bimstec Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, hosted by India and attended by ministers and senior officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed did not attend the meeting. The senior secretary of his ministry represented Bangladesh.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who inaugurated the meeting, called for mutual legal assistance and extradition cooperation in line with national laws and applicable treaties to strengthen efforts to bring criminals to justice.

He also stressed that no part of the region should provide shelter, recruitment, training or resources for terrorist networks or activities directed against neighbouring countries.

The meeting approved the Bimstec Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings to strengthen regional cooperation on prevention, criminalisation, victim protection and rehabilitation, according to an official statement.

The ministers also adopted an action plan to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.

They approved a memorandum of understanding on capacity-building to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The framework covers expert training, exchanges of best practices, financial intelligence, investigations, asset recovery, action against terrorist financing and measures to prevent the financing of the proliferation of terrorist infrastructure.

Another action plan was approved to identify sources and channels of illicit financial flows across the region.

The ministers endorsed measures to improve disaster preparedness and coordination across the Bay of Bengal region.

The initiatives include regional risk planning, joint exercises, early-warning systems, disaster mapping, training centres, information sharing, research and technological innovation. They also include coordinated efforts to reduce tsunami risks.

The meeting discussed disaster management cooperation, including a proposed Bimstec Disaster Management Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Delhi Declaration sets security priorities

The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, committing member countries to strengthen cooperation on regional peace, security and development.

The declaration prioritises cooperation against cross-border terrorism, terrorist financing, radicalisation, drug and human trafficking, cybercrime and organised crime. It also emphasises information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, capacity-building and effective implementation of existing agreements and action plans.

The declaration highlighted the need to protect victims of human trafficking in online fraud and commended India's role in strengthening regional security cooperation.

India reiterated its commitment to sharing expertise in police training, counter-terrorism operations and forensic investigations.