BIMSTEC ‘Delhi Declaration’ on Terrorism

On 13 October 2026, the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting was held in New Delhi under India’s chairmanship and concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against terrorism and transnational crime.

Key Facts

• BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
• Member countries (7): Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
• Declaration adopted at: First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, New Delhi.
• Date: 13 October 2026.
• Chair: India, with the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Major Highlights of the Delhi Declaration

• Counterterrorism: Strongly condemns terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
• Terror financing: Calls for cooperation to counter terrorist financing, radicalisation and violent extremism.
• International cooperation: Reaffirms commitment to action in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
• Transnational crime: Emphasises cooperation against drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and organised crime.
• Legal cooperation: Prioritises information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition and capacity building.
• Existing agreements: Calls for effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which came into force in March 2021.

Prelims MCQs with Explanations

Q1. With reference to BIMSTEC, consider the following statements:

1. It includes countries from South Asia and Southeast Asia.
2. Myanmar and Thailand are its members.
3. All its member countries have coastlines along the Bay of Bengal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: BIMSTEC connects South Asia and Southeast Asia. Bhutan and Nepal are landlocked, so statement 3 is incorrect.

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