In a significant step towards strengthening the regional security and the international cooperation, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has adopted the ‘Delhi Declaration’ on the terrorism at the first meeting of the Home Ministers of the BIMSTEC member countries in New Delhi. The meeting which was, hosted by India, has focused on countering the terrorism, preventing the violent extremism, curbing the financing of the terror activities, and addressing the misuse of the emerging technologies for the terrorist activities.
The declaration reflects the collective commitment of the seven member countries to combat the terrorism and to promote the peace, stability, and the security across the region.
BIMSTEC and Its Regional Importance
The BIMSTEC is a regional organisation that comprises the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Thailand. It promotes the regional cooperation among the countries that border the Bay of Bengal in the areas such as the security, trade, connectivity, and the economic development.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of all the seven member states. The Bangladesh was represented by Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary in its Home Ministry, instead of the Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The discussions highlighted the need for a coordinated regional response to combat the growing threat of terrorism and the organised crime.
Key Provisions of the Delhi Declaration
The Delhi Declaration has strongly condemned the acts of terrorism and the violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations, including the cross-border terrorism, regardless of the perpetrators, motives, or the objectives.
The member countries also reiterated their determination to prevent, combat, and eliminate the terrorism through a comprehensive and a sustained approach. They also called for the effective implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, including the Resolution 1267, which is associated with the sanctions against the designated terrorist individuals and the entities.
Another important provision concerned the terrorist financing. The declaration emphasised the need to comply with the internationally accepted counter-terrorist financing and the anti-money laundering standards, in accordance with the international law.
The member states also expressed their solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families. They stressed that those who are responsible for such acts need to be brought to justice.
India’s Emphasis on Regional Cooperation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has highlighted the five key areas of cooperation, namely, the drug control, the counter-terrorism and the legal cooperation, the repatriation of fugitive criminals, the cyber-security and the cybercrime investigations, and the institutional cooperation and the capacity building.
He stressed that the terrorist networks often operate across the international borders and exploit the weaknesses in the regional coordination. Such groups increasingly misuse the encrypted communications, the social media, the drones, the cryptocurrency, and the dark web for recruiting the individuals, spreading the propaganda, raising the funds, and coordinating the unlawful activities.
He also underlined the importance of the real-time intelligence sharing, the effective communication, and the stronger cooperation among the law enforcement agencies. According to him, the regional collaboration is essential to identify and the prevent emerging security threats.
Combating Terrorist Financing and Organised Crime
The declaration called for a coordinated regional approach to combat the illicit financial transactions and the terrorist financing. The cooperation in this area is essential because the terrorist organisations frequently rely on the complex financial networks to support their activities.
The participating countries have also emphasised the need for a stronger coordination among the law enforcement agencies, the intelligence organisations, and the border management authorities. The effective information exchange and the joint investigations can help in the prevention of the terrorists and the fugitives from exploiting the national borders.
The declaration further stressed the importance of finalising the texts relating to the extradition, the transfer of sentenced persons, and the conventions against trafficking in persons. It also highlighted the need for a standard operating procedures for the rescue, the repatriation, and the reintegration of the victims of human trafficking.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite the significance of the Delhi Declaration, its success will depend on its effective implementation by the member countries. The differences in the national laws, the varying institutional capacities, and the concerns about the sharing of information may create challenges. Therefore, the BIMSTEC countries must develop a clear mechanisms for the intelligence exchange, the joint investigations, the capacity building, and the legal assistance while respecting the human rights and the international law.
Conclusion
The Delhi Declaration marks an important step towards a united regional response to the terrorism and the transnational crime. By strengthening the intelligence sharing, combating the terrorist financing, improving the border security, and promoting the legal cooperation, the BIMSTEC members can enhance their regional stability. However, its long-term success will depend on the sustained political commitment and the practical action. The effective implementation of this declaration can help to transform it into a meaningful framework for the peace, security, and the prosperity across the Bay of Bengal region.