Unite to fight terror, organised crime, Ajit Doval urges BIMSTEC
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Security
Why in news
NSA Ajit Doval chaired the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC national security chiefs in New Delhi, emphasizing practical solutions to combat terrorism and organized crime. The meeting endorsed guiding principles for maritime law enforcement interactions at sea, marking a step forward in regional security cooperation.
Background
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional grouping bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia, comprising seven member states. It represents about 1.7 billion people (22% of global population) with a combined GDP of nearly $5 trillion. The national security chiefs' meeting is part of ongoing efforts to enhance security cooperation.
Key facts
NSA Ajit Doval chaired the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC national security chiefs in New Delhi.
The meeting discussed practical and result-oriented solutions to combat terrorism and organised crime.
Security chiefs endorsed a set of guiding principles on the conduct of maritime law enforcement agencies during interactions at sea.
The principles aim to increase predictability and promote safety during maritime engagements among member states.
Doval stressed the need for closer regional cooperation to tackle evolving security challenges, including conflicts, geopolitical uncertainties, and technological disruptions.
BIMSTEC unites two dynamic regions and represents 1.7 billion people (22% of global population) with a combined GDP of nearly $5 trillion.
Doval highlighted deep civilisational and cultural legacies shared by member states over a millennium.
Prelims pointers
- BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
- Member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
- Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Established: 1997
- 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (2026, New Delhi)
- Guiding principles for maritime law enforcement interactions at sea endorsed
Mains angles
- GS2: India's role in regional groupings like BIMSTEC for security cooperation
- GS2: Counter-terrorism and organized crime: regional mechanisms and challenges
- GS3: Maritime security and law enforcement in the Bay of Bengal
- GS2: India's neighborhood policy and connectivity initiatives