India hosted the 11th BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC meeting in New Delhi, uniting all seven member states to strengthen regional security frameworks, combat transnational crime, suppress terror financing, dismantle trafficking networks, and counter radicalisation across South and Southeast Asia.
In a major diplomatic effort to strengthen collective regional defense frameworks, India hosted the 11th meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC) on September 28 and 29, 2026. The two-day high-level gathering concluded in the national capital with all member states renewing their strategic commitment to eliminate safe havens for organised criminal syndicates and terror outfits operating across South and Southeast Asia.
Official delegations from all seven member nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—participated in the deliberations, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.
The conference was chaired by Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Addressing Traditional and Emerging Threats
The discussions centered on mapping out the evolving security landscape of the Bay of Bengal littoral zone, focusing on both traditional territorial threats and emerging non-traditional security challenges. Officials noted that technological convergence has amplified the reach of organized criminal networks, necessitating real-time intelligence sharing, harmonized legal approaches, and coordinated inter-agency action.
“The meeting discussed traditional and emerging non-traditional security threats in the BIMSTEC region. The participants also deliberated and made recommendations on a wide range of issues to enhance cooperation and collaboration in countering terrorism and transnational crimes in the region,” the MEA stated.
Particular attention was directed toward securing cyberspace and critical maritime corridors, where transnational crime syndicates frequently exploit jurisdictional gaps. Delegates evaluated strategies to secure maritime supply chains against piracy, illicit contraband transport, and illegal offshore financial flows.
Comprehensive Review of Specialized Sub-Groups
A core segment of the 11th JWG-CTTC meeting involved analyzing the outcomes and progress reports submitted by various specialized sub-groups operating under the working group’s charter:
Human Trafficking: Formulating joint victim identification protocols, cross-border intelligence pooling, and accelerated repatriation mechanisms.
Narcotics and Precursor Chemicals: Countering illicit trafficking routes of synthetic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals moving across regional borders.
Anti-Money Laundering & Terror Financing: Strengthening regulatory tracking systems to disrupt terror funding conduits, shell entities, and unregulated hawala corridors.
Legal and Law Enforcement Cooperation: Streamlining mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs), extradition procedures, and shared evidence collection standards.
Countering Radicalisation and Terrorism: Establishing collaborative counter-narrative strategies to prevent youth radicalisation across online and offline spheres.
Continuity with National Security Chiefs’ Agenda
The New Delhi meeting builds on the momentum generated during the fifth meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs held earlier in July. That conference, chaired by India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, gathered national security advisors and delegation heads from all member states to outline actionable solutions to complex regional challenges.
The July summit established priority mandates in cyber defense, maritime safety, energy security, and joint disaster management. The 11th JWG-CTTC served to translate those high-level strategic directives into actionable law enforcement and intelligence-sharing operational guidelines.
Strategic Importance of BIMSTEC
Serving as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, BIMSTEC represents over 1.8 billion people across seven littoral and landlocked states, accounting for a combined gross domestic product surpassing $4.5 trillion.
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Over recent years, the bloc has transitioned from an economic and trade dialogue into a comprehensive regional platform addressing transport corridors, digital connectivity, climate resilience, and collective security. Officials concluded the meeting by emphasizing that enduring economic prosperity and seamless trade within the Bay of Bengal region remain contingent on establishing an uncompromised, rules-based security architecture free from cross-border violence and criminal interference.
