Poised to combat new, emerging threats together, says Ajit Doval
Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said BIMSTEC member states must urgently collaborate, take decisive action for their mutual benefit, and find solutions through mutual discussions and deliberations to the challenges they face, noting that the grouping brings together some of the most significant and dynamic regions of the Indian Ocean.
"We are poised to combat new and emerging threats together," he said, stressing that they have advanced and strengthened cooperation in fighting terrorism, combating transnational organised crime, cyber threats, and meeting maritime challenges.
NSA Ajit Doval made the remarks while chairing the 5th meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi on Thursday.
Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam represented Bangladesh at the meeting.
As BIMSTEC approaches its thirtieth anniversary next year, the National Security Advisers/ Heads of Delegations reiterated their resolve to further enhance collaboration and knowledge-sharing towards strengthening regional security, building resilience, and enhancing institutional capacities to address diverse security threats.
Ajit Doval hosted National Security Advisers/ Heads of Delegations from all other Member States, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
BIMSTEC bridges South Asia and Southeast Asia, two of the most significant and vibrant regions of the Indian Ocean.
Over the years, BIMSTEC has deepened cooperation in regional security, disaster management, transport and trade connectivity, technological issues, and people-to-people contacts.
At the meeting, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey presented a comprehensive overview of the status of cooperation in the security sector and briefed the member states on the progress made across a wide range of sectors, an official told UNB.
The National Security Advisers/ Heads of Delegations discussed practical and result-oriented solutions to combat terrorism and organised crime, ensure security in the cyber, maritime and energy domains; enhance connectivity; facilitate efficient disaster management; and to tackle new and emerging threats.
They adopted guidelines for the maritime component of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
These guidelines will help BIMSTEC member states to undertake relief operations in the region in an expeditious manner.
They also endorsed a set of guiding principles on the conduct of maritime law enforcement agencies during interactions at sea.
These principles are expected to outline reference points for increasing predictability and promoting safety during maritime engagements among member states.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of a challenging global landscape.
"We are witnessing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties. We are also facing multi-domain security threats amplified by rapid technological advancement," said Ajit Doval, noting that disruptions in global supply chains have also resulted in economic hardship for all their countries.
He said they are united by the Bay of Bengal, not just geographically, but also through deep civilisational and cultural legacies that have evolved over a millennium of shared bonds.
"We are home to 1.7 billion people, almost 22% of the world population, with a combined GDP of nearly $5 trillion," Ajit Doval said.
Building on these unique bonds, he said, BIMSTEC has been anchored in robust cooperation across a range of sectors on the foundations of a great past.
"We strive to achieve a great future, sharing prosperity and resilience for all our people," said Ajit Doval.
BIMSTEC's long-standing goals of regional security, connectivity, capacity building and economic security should continue to drive our collective efforts.
For India, Ajit Doval said, BIMSTEC represents their vision of "Neighbourhood First", and their commitment to the Act East policy and the "MAHASAGAR" vision, which stands for mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions.