Ajit Doval Urges Decisive Action Amid Global Uncertainties At BIMSTEC Security Meet

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday called for stronger cooperation among BIMSTEC member states to address evolving regional and global security challenges, saying the current international environment marked by geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and technological disruptions requires coordinated and decisive action. Speaking at the fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting, Doval stressed that closer collaboration was essential to safeguard the shared interests of member nations and ensure regional stability.

Addressing delegates, Doval said the meeting was taking place against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global security landscape. He pointed to ongoing conflicts, geopolitical uncertainties and the rise of multi-domain threats driven by rapid technological advancements. He also highlighted the impact of disruptions in global supply chains, noting that these developments had created economic challenges for countries across the region. According to Doval, such interconnected threats cannot be tackled effectively by individual nations acting alone.

"We are meeting today in the backdrop of a challenging global landscape. We are witnessing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties. We are also facing multi-domain security threats, amplified by rapid technological advancements. Disruptions in global supply chains have also resulted in economic hardship for all our countries," Doval said. He added that there was an urgent need for BIMSTEC nations to work together and take "decisive actions" to address common concerns through dialogue, cooperation and coordinated policy responses.

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The NSA said the BIMSTEC grouping has made significant progress in strengthening cooperation across a range of security-related areas over the years. He noted that member countries have enhanced collaboration in tackling transnational crime, terrorism, cyber threats and other shared security challenges. Doval emphasised that sustained engagement and information-sharing among member states would be critical in responding to emerging risks that increasingly transcend national borders.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) brings together seven countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — with the aim of promoting regional cooperation across sectors including security, connectivity, trade, technology and disaster management. In recent years, the grouping has gained greater strategic importance as member states seek to strengthen regional integration and improve collective responses to cross-border challenges.

Doval's remarks underscore India's continued emphasis on enhancing regional security cooperation through BIMSTEC at a time of heightened global uncertainty. His call for collective action reflects growing concerns over evolving security threats, economic disruptions and technological challenges affecting the region. The meeting of national security advisers is expected to further discussions on strengthening institutional cooperation and identifying practical measures to enhance peace, stability and resilience among BIMSTEC member countries.

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