The First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting was held on 13 October 2026 in New Delhi, India, marking a significant milestone in strengthening regional security cooperation under BIMSTEC.

BIMSTEC Home Ministers adopted the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation towards a connected, secure, resilient, developed and prosperous BIMSTEC region. They called for collective efforts to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, transnational organised crime, cybercrime, money laundering, terrorist financing and the illicit smuggling of arms

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The Ministers emphasised the effective implementation of existing BIMSTEC legal instruments, early finalisation of proposed Conventions, and enhanced information-sharing, specialised training and capacity-building. They also encouraged stronger partnerships with relevant international and regional organisations, including UNODC, INTERPOL and FATF.

The inaugural Meeting represents a significant step towards providing strategic direction to security cooperation under BIMSTEC, with a renewed emphasis on translating regional commitments into effective implementation and tangible collaboration.

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