Amit Shah Reaffirms India’s Zero-Tolerance Policy on Terrorism at BIMSTEC Meeting
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed India’s commitment to respecting national sovereignty, peaceful coexistence and a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism during the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on October 13, 2026. He emphasised that India does not believe in establishing supremacy over other nations and supports cooperation based on mutual respect and shared security interests.
The meeting brought together representatives of the seven member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to discuss regional security challenges. Shah stressed that terrorism and organised crime cannot be effectively addressed through isolated national efforts. Instead, countries must strengthen coordination to prevent terrorist groups and criminal networks from exploiting regional borders.
He highlighted the importance of building mutual trust, improving intelligence-sharing and ensuring that the region does not become a safe haven for individuals or organisations involved in terrorist activities.
Combating Terrorism Through Intelligence and Legal Cooperation
Shah called for stronger cooperation among BIMSTEC members to counter terrorism, terrorist financing and cross-border criminal networks. He emphasised the need for timely exchanges of actionable intelligence regarding terrorist organisations, their associates, financial networks and operational activities.
The Home Minister also underscored the importance of mutual legal assistance and extradition arrangements to ensure that individuals accused of serious crimes cannot easily evade investigation by moving across national borders. Better coordination among law enforcement agencies would help countries investigate cases more efficiently and strengthen their collective response to security threats.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of implementing existing regional agreements against international terrorism, transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. These measures reflect a shared objective of translating regional commitments into practical cooperation.
Drug Trafficking and Cybercrime Among Major Concerns
Beyond terrorism, Shah highlighted drug trafficking, human trafficking and cybercrime as serious challenges requiring coordinated regional action. He stressed that the drug trade can strengthen organised criminal networks and create financial channels that may be exploited for other unlawful activities.
He also drew attention to the misuse of technology, including the dark web and digital platforms, to facilitate illegal transactions and criminal operations. As these networks increasingly operate across multiple jurisdictions, stronger information-sharing and coordinated investigations have become essential.
Human trafficking was another important concern, particularly the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through fraudulent recruitment and online scam operations. Greater cooperation among member countries could help identify trafficking networks, protect victims and bring those responsible to justice.
BIMSTEC’s Role in Building a Secure and Resilient Region
BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The regional grouping promotes cooperation in several areas, including security, trade, connectivity, technology and economic development.
Shah also emphasised the importance of cooperation in disaster management, recognising that preparedness and the sharing of expertise are essential for responding to emergencies that may affect multiple countries. Stronger institutional coordination can help member states improve their ability to address both traditional security threats and emerging regional challenges.
The meeting’s discussions reflected the broader objective of strengthening BIMSTEC as a platform for practical cooperation. By improving coordination among security agencies and developing effective mechanisms to address shared challenges, member countries can contribute to greater stability across the Bay of Bengal region.
The MGMM Outlook
Amit Shah’s address at the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed India’s commitment to national sovereignty, peaceful coexistence and a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Emphasising mutual respect rather than regional supremacy, he called for stronger cooperation among the seven member countries to tackle terrorism, terrorist financing and cross-border criminal networks. The focus on intelligence-sharing, extradition arrangements and mutual legal assistance highlights the importance of coordinated action to prevent terrorist organisations and criminal networks from exploiting national borders.
Beyond counter-terrorism, the discussions highlighted the need for joint efforts against drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and the misuse of digital platforms for illegal activities. Stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies, improved information-sharing and effective implementation of regional agreements can help address these evolving challenges. By strengthening security cooperation and mutual trust, BIMSTEC members have an opportunity to build a safer and more resilient Bay of Bengal region, where collective action against shared threats supports regional stability and peaceful development.
(Sources: Firstpost, The New Indian Express, India Today)
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