Ajit Doval seeks BIMSTEC cooperation for mutual benefit

Noting that BIMSTEC brings together the most significant and vibrant regions of the Indian Ocean, Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has said there is an urgent need for them to collaborate, take decisive actions for their mutual benefit, and find solutions through mutual discussions and deliberations to the problems that they are all facing, reports UNB.
"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, 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 enhancing 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 the news agency.
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.