First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting 2026 Opens in New Delhi

Q: Q1. When and where was the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held?

India hosted the inaugural meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026.

Q: Q2. Who chaired the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting?

India's Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired the meeting.

Q: Q3. What stand did India take on regional terrorism during the meeting?

India reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, calling on all member states to eliminate safe havens, stop terror financing, and share real-time actionable intelligence.

Q: Q4. Which seven countries are members of BIMSTEC?

The seven member countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Q: Q5. What are the key focus areas of the BIMSTEC security agenda?

Key focus areas include counter-terrorism, combating drug and human trafficking, tackling cyber threats, halting illicit financial flows, and streamlining extradition mechanisms.

Updated: 13 Oct 2026

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First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting 2026 Opens in New Delhi

India is hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026. Chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the high-level security summit focuses on deepening regional cooperation against terrorism, cross-border organized crime, narcotics, human trafficking, illicit financial flows, and cyber threats.

Key Feature	Details
Event Name	1st BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting
Date & Venue	October 13, 2026 \| New Delhi, India
Chair / Host	Shri Amit Shah (Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation)
Focus Areas	Counter-Terrorism, Cyber Security, Narcotics, Extradition, Illicit Finance
Member Nations (7)	Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
Core Guiding Principle	Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — "The World Is One Family"

Meeting at a GlanceRegional Security Priorities and Key Objectives

The landmark gathering marks the first time home ministers and security delegations across all seven BIMSTEC member states have convened to address cross-border internal security challenges.

Welcoming the delegates to New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that cross-border threats require decisive, coordinated action.

Key Pillars of the Regional Security Agenda

1. Zero Tolerance for Terrorism

India reaffirmed its strict zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. The delegation urged member countries to deny terrorist organizations operational space, recruitment channels, training bases, and funding mechanisms across the Bay of Bengal littoral. Member states agreed to enhance intelligence exchange through designated national nodal agencies to disrupt terror financing networks.

2. Combating Transnational Organized Crime & Cyber Threats

Criminal networks frequently exploit local vulnerabilities and legal loopholes across borders. Delegates emphasized real-time coordination among intelligence services, border management teams, financial monitoring units, and cyber-crime enforcement squads.

3. Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

To prevent fugitives from evading justice by crossing international borders, delegates discussed formalizing robust Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and streamlined extradition frameworks. Improved judicial cooperation ensures smooth evidence-sharing and faster extradition of wanted criminals.

What Is BIMSTEC?

Established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) bridges South and Southeast Asia. Connecting countries surrounding the Bay of Bengal, it promotes regional economic growth, technical collaboration, and collective security.