New Delhi:The member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have stressed the importance of cooperation to counter radicalisation and violent extremism, which facilitate terrorism, particularly in financing such activities.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the emphasis was placed on promoting internationally agreed standards for countering the financing of terrorism and anti-money laundering, ensuring consistency with domestic laws and applicable international law. The member states also highlighted the need to prevent the misuse of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and to address terrorist recruitment.
These issues were discussed at the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting held in New Delhi, focusing on regional cooperation in security and disaster management. This meeting was preceded by a gathering of home secretaries and senior officials from the BIMSTEC member states on October 12.
The countries acknowledged the complex and evolving security challenges they face and agreed to respond appropriately, embracing cooperation and shared responsibility. The meeting appreciated India's initiative in hosting this inaugural session, marking a significant milestone in developing the institutional architecture for security cooperation under BIMSTEC.
It was recognised that the Bay of Bengal region represents a common security space with shared challenges, including terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime, cybercrimes, and human trafficking, among others. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of BIMSTEC member states to deepen regional security and disaster management cooperation, aiming for a connected, secure, resilient, developed, and prosperous region.