New Delhi: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval chaired the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi, where member countries discussed practical and result-oriented measures to strengthen regional security cooperation and address emerging threats.

The meeting brought together security chiefs from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a regional grouping that connects South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Focus on terrorism and emerging security threats

The participants deliberated on ways to combat terrorism, organised crime, and strengthen security in the cyber, maritime, and energy sectors. They also discussed improving regional connectivity and enhancing cooperation to tackle evolving security challenges.

A key outcome of the meeting was the endorsement of a set of guiding principles for maritime law enforcement agencies during interactions at sea. According to the Indian government, these principles are expected to improve predictability, safety and coordination among member states during maritime operations.

Doval calls for stronger regional cooperation

Addressing the gathering, Doval said the meeting was taking place against the backdrop of a challenging global environment marked by conflicts, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change.

He stressed the need for BIMSTEC nations to work together and take decisive action to address common security concerns.

“We are witnessing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties. We are also facing multi-domain security threats, amplified by rapid technological advancements. Disruptions in global supply chains have also resulted in economic hardship for all our countries,” Doval said.

He added that closer collaboration among member countries was essential to finding practical solutions to shared challenges.

BIMSTEC’s growing strategic importance

Highlighting the significance of the regional bloc, Doval noted that BIMSTEC represents around 1.7 billion people, nearly 22 per cent of the global population, with a combined GDP of approximately US$5 trillion.

He said the member nations are united not only by the Bay of Bengal but also by centuries of shared civilisational and cultural ties, making regional cooperation increasingly important in addressing present and future challenges