Cross-border terrorism, terror financing, radicalisation high on BIMSTEC agenda

Subhashis Mittra

At a time when India aims to smash cross-border terrorism and drugs smuggling, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries have vowed to lay emphasis on combating ‘cross-border terrorism, terror financing and radicalisation’, besides narcotics smuggling. The first BIMSTEC home ministers’ meeting in Delhi adopted the Delhi Declaration, with member states reaffirming their commitment to regional peace, security and development.

An official statement said that BIMSTEC grouping also strongly condemned ‘terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism’ in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, wherever, by whomsoever and for whatever purposes committed. It reiterated ‘determination to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism’ in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, and called for effective implementation of the sanctions of the UN Security Council (UNSC), including the 1267 Sanctions Committee.

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand that aims to promote economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and in its neighbourhood. The grouping expressed its deepest condolences and solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks in member states, including India, and their families, and with the governments of the affected states and called for those responsible to be brought to justice in accordance with applicable domestic and international law and relevant UNSC resolutions. It acknowledged the ‘complex and evolving security challenges’, and called upon member states to respond appropriately, in the spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.