New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has welcomed the Home Ministers and delegations of BIMSTEC member states ahead of the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in New Delhi on October 13, 2026.
Describing the meeting as a historic step towards strengthening regional cooperation, Shah said India was honoured to host the gathering. He emphasised the shared commitment of BIMSTEC countries to address security challenges that cross national borders and threaten regional stability.
In a post on X, Shah said the meeting reflected a collective resolve to combat terrorism, transnational organised crime, narcotics-related threats, radicalisation, trafficking, illicit financial flows and cyber threats.
He added that decisive coordination among member states would be essential to building a safer, stronger and more secure BIMSTEC region.
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting to Focus on Regional Security
The meeting marks an important platform for the home ministers of the Bay of Bengal region to strengthen cooperation on shared internal security concerns.
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With criminal networks and security threats increasingly operating across borders, coordination among member countries is central to addressing challenges that cannot be tackled effectively by individual nations alone.
Key security concerns highlighted by Amit Shah include:
- Terrorism: Strengthening regional efforts to counter terrorist threats and cross-border networks.
- Transnational organised crime: Improving cooperation against criminal groups operating across national boundaries.
- Narcotics and radicalisation: Addressing drug-related threats and the spread of extremist ideologies.
- Trafficking: Enhancing efforts to combat cross-border trafficking networks.
- Illicit financial flows: Strengthening action against unlawful financial transactions linked to criminal activity.
- Cyber threats: Improving cooperation to respond to cybercrime and emerging digital security risks.
Amit Shah Calls for Decisive Coordination Among BIMSTEC Nations
In his message ahead of the meeting, Shah stressed the importance of collective action in addressing common security challenges.
His remarks placed regional coordination at the centre of the proposed discussions, with an emphasis on building a more secure environment across the BIMSTEC region.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for participating countries to engage on shared security priorities and explore ways to strengthen cooperation against cross-border threats.
India Welcomes Member-State Delegations to New Delhi
Extending a warm welcome to the participating Home Ministers and delegations, Shah highlighted India’s role as host of the inaugural meeting.
The gathering brings the internal security dimension of regional cooperation into focus, as BIMSTEC countries seek to address threats that affect public safety, economic stability and regional connectivity.
The meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2026, in New Delhi, following the announcement issued by the Press Information Bureau on October 12.
What Is BIMSTEC?
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional grouping that connects countries around the Bay of Bengal and promotes cooperation across several sectors.
Its seven member states are:
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
The grouping provides a framework for regional collaboration on issues including security, trade, connectivity, technology and economic development.
The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting highlights the importance of internal security cooperation within this broader regional partnership, particularly in confronting threats that extend beyond national borders.
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